Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) officially dispatched 255 students to participate in the 2025 Literacy-Themed Community Service Program (KKN) on Thursday (Aug 28) at the UMSU courtyard, Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3 Medan. The ceremony was led by UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, represented by Vice Rector I, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Hum.
UMSU is among 22 universities in Indonesia entrusted with hosting this year’s Literacy-Themed KKN.
The send-off ceremony was held solemnly, featuring the Indonesian national anthem, the Muhammadiyah hymn, and the symbolic pinning of KKN attributes. Attendees included the Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Library and Archives Office, Desni Maharani Saragih, S.STP., M.Si., Vice Rector I Prof. Arifin representing the Rector, and UMSU Library Head Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Pd.
Students from seven faculties were deployed to 21 locations across Asahan Regency, Langkat Regency, and Binjai City. They will serve for 30 days, from September 1–30, 2025, under the guidance of 21 field supervisors.
In his remarks, Vice Rector I emphasized that the Literacy-Themed KKN reflects UMSU’s strong commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically excellent but also socially responsible.
“Through this program, our students will engage directly with communities, provide solutions, and spread positive impact,” he said.
Meanwhile, Desni Maharani Saragih, Head of the Provincial Library and Archives Office, expressed appreciation for UMSU’s initiative to highlight literacy, which aligns with government efforts to strengthen reading and numeracy culture.
“This program is more than community service—it is a concrete contribution by young people to building a literacy ecosystem in North Sumatra,” she noted.
UMSU Library Head, Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Pd., who also chairs the organizing committee, added that the program supports the library’s mission to expand literacy access.
“Our students bring fresh energy, enlivening literacy activities from rural villages to urban centers, in pursuit of a more informed society,” he said.
On site, students will carry out diverse activities such as read-aloud sessions to foster children’s reading interest, book review workshops for students, and creative projects like posters, simple comics, and small performances—all designed to build a sustainable literacy culture.
The send-off was lively, with students in KKN uniforms holding literacy banners, while faculty and academic staff showed strong support, reinforcing optimism for the program’s success.
With a spirit of unity, this departure marks the beginning of UMSU students’ mission to ignite the torch of literacy in society. They are expected not only to implement the program but also to serve as role models and inspirations in cultivating a culture of reading and writing across North Sumatra.
