Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) inaugurated two full professors in the fields of Engineering and Education at the Campus Auditorium on Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan, Friday (January 23).
Based on the official decree read by Vice Rector I, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Hum., the newly appointed professors are Prof. Dr. Suwarno, M.T., as Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering, and Prof. Dr. Indra Prasetia, S.Pd., M.Si., as Professor of Educational Management.
This inauguration increases the total number of UMSU professors to 27 and reinforces the university’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and sustainable higher education transformation.
Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, expressed his pride and appreciation for the newly inaugurated professors, describing the ceremony as a special and meaningful occasion. He noted that the appointment of full professors holds strategic importance in strengthening the university’s research and innovation capacity.
“Alhamdulillah, becoming a research- and innovation-driven university is our shared aspiration. The UMSU 2028–2033 roadmap is not merely a dream, but a collective vision that we are actively realizing,” he stated.
He emphasized that the scientific orations on renewable energy and transformational leadership should not remain theoretical concepts, but be implemented to generate tangible innovations.
On the same occasion, Prof. Agussani highlighted UMSU’s progress toward becoming a world-class university, noting its achievement of rank 445 in the QS Asia rankings. He also announced plans to open seven specialist programs within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK).
“Our target this year, with support from the Head of LLDikti, is to open at least seven specialist programs in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. This requires collective support,” he said.
In North Sumatra, only two universities—one of them UMSU—have been entrusted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to accelerate the establishment of medical specialist programs. Previously, FKIK UMSU completed field evaluations for Specialist Programs in Surgery and Pulmonology, and also obtained approval to open a Policy and Tax Management program under the Faculty of Economics and Business.
“We are also planning to establish a Faculty of Psychology and a Faculty of Nursing. With the launch of specialist programs, we are committed to developing an integrated teaching hospital that combines education, research, and healthcare services,” Prof. Agussani added.
As the host of the 2027 Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Congress, UMSU is currently developing an integrated campus in Saentis Village, Deli Serdang. The campus is designed with a sustainable ecosystem, including a nutrition kitchen (SPPG MBG), plantations, poultry farms, fish ponds, a bakery, and a bottled water plant.
Meanwhile, the Head of Lembaga Layanan Pendidikan Tinggi Wilayah I Sumatera Utara (LLDikti Region I North Sumatra), Prof. Drs. Saiful Anwar Matondang, M.A., Ph.D., commended the perseverance and dedication of the newly appointed professors.
“The two professors inaugurated today are individuals of consistency and resilience. They faced rejection once, twice, even multiple times, yet they continued striving until they succeeded,” he remarked.
He also highlighted the government’s mandate for UMSU to open specialist programs in FKIK.
“UMSU has been entrusted with opening specialist programs due to its excellent accreditation status. If possible, more than seven specialist programs should be established,” he added.
During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Suwarno delivered a scientific oration titled “Utilization of Renewable Energy for an Environmentally Sustainable Future: Potentials and Challenges,” while Prof. Dr. Indra Prasetia presented “Transformational Leadership: A Strategic Driver of Educational Effectiveness.”
The event was attended by senior leaders of Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah in North Sumatra, members of the UMSU Senate, fellow professors, postgraduate leaders, and faculty deans.
