The University of Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) served as the host for the “Impactful Campus Festival,” an initiative launched by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdikti Saintek). The hybrid event was launched on National Education Day, Friday (May 2).
UMSU is one of eleven universities across Indonesia selected to host the festival. The national launch took place in Jakarta and was livestreamed to participating universities.
The “Impactful Campus” program is one of Kemdikti Saintek’s flagship initiatives, designed to continue the transformation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) movement, with a stronger focus on delivering real benefits to society.
During the event, Director General of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Khairul Munadi, ST, M.Eng., emphasized that the “Impactful Campus” movement reflects the noble values of Ki Hadjar Dewantara: “With knowledge we attain dignity, and with action we achieve virtue.”
“Universities must not distance themselves from the pulse of society. They must act as beacons of civilization, illuminating the path to hope and becoming agents of change,” said Prof. Munadi.
In addition to the national event, the festival was held onsite at UMSU’s auditorium, attended by Head of LLDikti Region I Prof. Drs. Saiful Anwar Matondang, M.A., Ph.D., UMSU Vice Rector III Assoc. Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, and university leaders from across Medan.
At the launch, UMSU Vice Rector III Dr. Rudianto, M.Si reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continue its participation in the MBKM movement by fully supporting the “Impactful Campus” program.
“We are grateful to witness the official launch of this MBKM successor program—‘Impactful Campus’. We are committed to advancing initiatives that ensure universities make a real difference in the lives of communities,” he stated.
Dr. Rudianto highlighted four key focus areas of the new program: producing impactful students through competitions and other initiatives, transforming campuses into centers for research and innovation, addressing economic challenges faced by local communities, and strengthening university governance for excellence.
“We invite everyone to actively support and enliven the Impactful Campus programs. We remain consistent in maintaining our MBKM unit and will fully embrace the new direction,” he added.
Meanwhile, Prof. Drs. Saiful Anwar Matondang, M.A., Ph.D., Head of LLDikti Region I, emphasized the need to shift students’ mindsets after graduation—from simply seeking jobs to becoming entrepreneurs who can help their communities.
“Universities must equip students with the mindset to innovate and address societal challenges—not just to work, but to create solutions,” he said.
He also addressed global challenges, such as climate change and trade wars, that affect food supply chains in many countries. In response, he underscored the importance of university contributions through technology-driven solutions.
“Universities must take an active role in facing these global challenges—developing apps and technological innovations that can support communities, such as those generated by education and tech faculties,” he explained.
He also reminded academic institutions of the importance of aligning their curricula with the content being taught. Courses must stay relevant and practical to ensure students gain knowledge that can be applied to real-world issues.
“We must ensure that university teaching guides both students and faculty to solve real problems in society. This is the core mission of the Impactful Campus initiative,” he concluded.
The festival also featured entertainment from the UMSU Band and a screening of the “Collaborative Impact” video showcasing contributions from students, lecturers, researchers, and UMSU partners.
The launch ceremony concluded with a traditional Taganing drum performance. With the fresh spirit of the Impactful Campus program, UMSU and other higher education institutions are expected to play a greater role in solving societal issues and becoming centers of innovation that deliver tangible, far-reaching benefits.
This initiative is expected to motivate UMSU and other campuses to continue innovating, conducting community-relevant research, and nurturing a new generation ready to face global challenges. Impactful Campus is not merely a shift in the education system, but a concrete step toward creating meaningful, lasting contributions to society.
