Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim (UIN SUSKA) Riau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tridharma collaboration and strengthening internationalization on Monday (20/10) at the UMSU Auditorium, Jalan Muchtar Basri No.3, Medan.
The MoU was signed directly by the Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP., and the Rector of UIN SUSKA Riau, Prof. Dr. Hj. Leny Nofianti, M.S., S.E., M.Si., Ak. The signing was witnessed by the Chairman of BPH, Dr. H. Bahril Datuk, M.M., UMSU vice rectors, deans and vice deans, students from the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FAI) and the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), UIN SUSKA Riau’s Vice Rector II Dr. Alex Wenda St., M.Eng, as well as representatives from the Faculty of Medicine and UIN SUSKA staff.
In her remarks, UIN SUSKA Riau Rector Prof. Leny expressed her admiration for UMSU’s innovations. “Alhamdulillah, we received an extraordinary welcome. UMSU is known as the best private university in North Sumatra. We hope to learn a lot from UMSU’s creativity,” she said.
UIN SUSKA Riau opened opportunities for collaboration in the Tridharma of higher education, student exchanges, joint research, and community service. The university is also developing an international Community Service Program (KKN) with several partner countries and hopes UMSU students can participate.
“One of our goals in coming here is to learn from UMSU as we work toward establishing our Faculty of Medicine. We need support and guidance from UMSU to make this a reality,” she added.
Earlier, UMSU Rector Prof. Agussani stated that UIN SUSKA’s visit is part of efforts to strengthen educational networks and collaborations in Riau. He also introduced UMSU as one of the five largest Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah universities (PTMA) in Indonesia. Currently, UMSU is proposing the establishment of medical specialist programs in surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine as part of its strategy to respond to future challenges in health education.
UMSU has also achieved various international milestones, including four study programs—Management, Business Management, Islamic Banking, and Accounting—under the Faculty of Islamic Studies and the Faculty of Economics and Business, which recently obtained FIBAA international accreditation from Germany.
“This is one of our dreams come true. God willing, UMSU will continue to earn more international recognitions,” Prof. Agussani said.
UMSU also continues to develop leading facilities, including the Observatorium Ilmu Falak (OIF), which has been visited by more than 60,000 guests from Indonesia and abroad. In preparation for hosting the 2027 Muhammadiyah–Aisyiyah Congress, UMSU is developing its fourth campus in Sampali Village. The Rector expressed his hope that UIN SUSKA’s delegation will attend the event.
“In addition to building Campus 4, the government has also entrusted us with the development of the SPPG, which, God willing, will be inaugurated at the end of this month,” he added. Prof. Agussani also emphasized the importance of strong synergy with UIN SUSKA across various areas of the Tridharma to advance national education.
The signing of the MoU between UMSU and UIN SUSKA marks a concrete step in strengthening synergy, improving educational quality, and expanding academic networks at both the national and international levels.
