Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP) joined forces to conduct a pivotal public lecture titled “Visiting Lecture” on Tuesday (5/12) at the UMSU Auditorium, located on Jalan Muchtar Basri No.3, Medan.
The event featured distinguished speakers from UNIMAP, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. R Badlishah Ahmad and Prof. Ir. Dr. Anuar Mat Safar. Their presentations attracted a substantial audience comprising UMSU students and delegates from University Sains Malaysia (USM) and Islamic University Malaysia (UIM).
UMSU Rector, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, represented by Vice-Rector Dr. Rudianto, M.Si, inaugurated the public lecture. Dr. Rudianto emphasized the significance of this collaboration, rooted in the enduring partnership among UMSU, UNIMAP, USM, and UIM.
“This collaboration extends an intriguing and consequential opportunity for UMSU to engage with international campuses, thereby reinforcing our role in the global community,” stated Dr. Rudianto.
He hoped this event would fortify international cooperation and maintain its momentum for future endeavors.
The speakers, both Senior Lecturers from UNIMAP, addressed topics pertinent to Industry 4.0. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. R. Badlishah Ahmad commenced the discourse with a presentation titled “Industry Revolution (IR) 4.0: Opportunities and Challenges for Universities.”
Prof. Badlishah shed light on the impact of Industry Revolution 4.0, specifically on higher education.
“I will delve into the impact of IR 4.0 on higher education,” affirmed Prof. Badlishah.
She elaborated on IR 4.0, signifying an era of rapid and disruptive industrial transformations driven by cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, robotics, and more.
Subsequently, Prof. Ir. Dr. Anuar Mat Safar delivered insights on “Digital Transformation Readiness: Perspectives on Higher Education Institutions.”
“Are we genuinely prepared to transition into digitally transformed universities? Many claim to be digitally advanced, but the reality often differs,” posed Prof. Anuar at the outset of his presentation.
He stressed the contemporary necessity for comprehensive digital transformation across university platforms in light of the predominantly digital and online landscape.
The public lecture spanned various UMSU faculties, including FAI, FEB, FIKTI, FATEK, FKIP, FAPERTA, and FISIP. Distinguished attendees included Vice Chancellors, Heads of Faculties, Study Programs from UMSU, and delegations from UNIMAP, UMS, and UIM.