Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) held the second day of its 2024 graduation ceremony, attended by 1,105 graduates and presented the Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Dr Busyro Muqoddas, who is also the former Chairman of the Indonesian KPK.
‘This graduation is the first step forward, you have a duty to strengthen humanitarian intentions that prosper. Knowledge without faith will only be a tool of power without integrity. So, be a human being who is beneficial to others,’ he said when giving a speech on Wednesday (18/12) at the Selecta Convention Hall Jl. Listrik No.2, Petisah Tengah Medan.
Dr Busyro Muqoddas delivered a speech with the theme of Prophetic Actualisation in the Tri Dharma of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Universities. It is said that there are 4 missions from the presence of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah universities.
He explained that the campus must be a pioneer of moral movements that support justice, honesty, and transparency in the life of society and the state. He also highlighted the need for spiritual transformation, which forms graduates with moral integrity, superior knowledge, commitment to progressive Islamic values, and skills according to their fields.
Another important message delivered by Dr Busyro Muqoddas was that Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah universities must have a role in building people’s sovereignty.
‘The growth of critical awareness, namely, giving birth to a generation of intellectuals who are able to understand and fight for the rights of the people through critical thinking.
fight for the rights of the people through scientific thinking and social movements,’ he said.
He appreciated the achievements of UMSU so that it not only became a superior accredited university, but under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP continued to develop to produce a superior generation with progress.
Previously, the Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, who led the graduation procession, in his remarks expressed his appreciation and congratulations to the graduates.
‘Hopefully the graduates will be successful in pursuing their careers, giving pride to their families, and making UMSU proud,’ said Prof. Agussani.
He also explained the various achievements of the university and the road map for campus development, including UMSU’s internationalisation programme and the construction of an integrated campus on 25 hectares of land in Seintis Village, Deli Serdang.
‘The plan to lay the first stone of this integrated campus will be carried out on Saturday (21/12) by the Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Prof. Dr. Haedar Nashir, M.Si. This location will also be the arena for the 49th Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Congress in 2027,’ said Agussani.
The construction of the UMSU integrated campus is expected to be completed in September 2027 and will support the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education with modern facilities.
Non-Muslim Graduates
Meanwhile, a representative of outstanding graduates, Yudi Febrianto Samosir, told his inspirational story as a non-Muslim student at UMSU. Yudi, who is actively be
until he was chosen as the champion in the North Sumatra Outstanding Student Selection, expressed his gratitude for the experience of tolerance he felt in an Islamic campus environment.
‘At first it was not easy to adapt to a religious environment. However, all negative stigmas were broken at UMSU. I was respected, even memorising the Muhammadiyah and Al-Fatihah songs without any coercion. UMSU teaches that differences are not separators, but complements,’ said Yudi, who also received a scholarship from UMSU.
He calls himself a Muhammadiyah Christian because UMSU has become his second home.
‘I am very grateful to receive extraordinary support from UMSU. This proves that UMSU is a campus that truly upholds diversity and tolerance,’ he said.
On that occasion, Prof. Dr Abdullah, M.Si, Vice Chair of Kopertais Region 9, praised UMSU’s achievement as the only Islamic university to achieve superior accreditation in the region.
‘UMSU proves that higher education can be an inclusive space for all people, regardless of religious background,’ he said.
UMSU demonstrates its commitment as a university that not only excels in academics, but also sets an example in managing diversity. The spirit of tolerance instilled at UMSU inspires that education is a bridge to create a harmonious and complementary society.
This second procession was attended by graduates of the Faculty of Islamic Religion (FAI), Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FIKTI), Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) and Faculty of Agriculture (FAPERTA).
