Wednesday, 30 September 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya has reminded 6,027 new students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) not to make an academic degree the sole objective of their higher education. He encouraged the students to gain experience, achieve accomplishments, embrace social responsibility and develop leadership skills that would benefit them later in society.
Surya delivered the message during the opening of the Masa Ta'aruf Kolosal UMSU 2026 at the UMSU campus on Jalan Mukhtar Basri in Medan on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. In his view, the Ta'aruf period is an important starting point for new students to become familiar with the university environment, build their character and further develop their personal abilities.
Surya emphasized that university life should not consist solely of the learning process in the classroom. Students should also use their time at university to gain experience, build networks, sharpen their communication skills and understand social values that will be useful to them when they later become part of society.
Surya called on the new students to make the most of the Ta'aruf period and their entire educational journey at UMSU. He reminded them not to simply come to campus, attend lectures, acquire knowledge and then pursue an academic degree.
"Manfaatkan masa ini sebaik-baiknya, jangan cuma ke kampus, dapat gelar, dapat ilmu saja, kita juga harus mendapat pengalaman, nilai-nilai sosial, bertindak dan bertanggung jawab, bangun juga prestasi dan kepedulian sesama," Surya said.
In his view, the experiences students gain during their university years will become an important part of their preparation for life after graduation. Therefore, he encouraged them to actively participate in various activities that can broaden their horizons and develop skills beyond the academic field.
He also emphasized the importance of community engagement. In his view, young people, as part of the next generation, have both the opportunity and responsibility to understand social issues and contribute according to their respective abilities.
Surya hopes that the new UMSU students will make use of the various facilities and opportunities available on campus for personal development. Higher education, he said, can provide greater benefits when students combine academic knowledge with social experience and leadership skills.
In addition to academic experience, Surya encouraged the new students to become actively involved in student organizations. In his view, organizations provide a space where students can learn to work together, express ideas, make decisions, take responsibility and develop their leadership skills.
He noted that UMSU has created various opportunities for students to develop these abilities. One of them is the Ikatan Mahasiswa Muhammadiyah (IMM), which plays a role in supporting and developing students.
Surya explained that involvement in IMM could serve as a long-term path for UMSU's younger generation to strengthen Islamic values while developing a spirit of social engagement. In his view, such experiences are also relevant to the development needs of North Sumatra and Indonesia.
"IMM will be a long journey for UMSU's younger generation to strengthen Islamic values and commitment to society. This is highly relevant to the development of North Sumatra and Indonesia as well. It is not only about being academically capable, but also about becoming socially competent, more courageous, responsible and innovative," Surya said.
In his view, it is not enough for students to possess only academic abilities. They must also develop the courage to express their ideas, work with others and take responsibility when they later become part of society.
Therefore, Surya hopes that students will use their university years to develop various competencies in a balanced manner. Organizational, social and youth activities, as well as achievement-oriented programs, can become part of this development process.
UMSU Rector Akrim expressed high expectations for the 6,027 new students participating in the Masa Ta'aruf Kolosal UMSU 2026. He hopes that the students will take their educational journey seriously and develop into a generation that provides tangible benefits to society.
Akrim hopes that UMSU students will grow into leaders within the Islamic community, the nation and the Muhammadiyah organization. At the same time, he called on them to contribute to the development of North Sumatra based on the knowledge and experience they gain during their time at the university.
"We strongly hope that IMM members will become leaders of the Islamic community, the nation and the Muhammadiyah organization and contribute to the development of North Sumatra by making a contribution to our society," Akrim said.
According to Akrim, higher education is not merely intended to produce graduates with academic competencies. Students must also develop an awareness of using the knowledge and skills they acquire during their studies to respond to the needs of society.
The Masa Ta'aruf Kolosal UMSU 2026 serves as an early stage for the 6,027 new students to become familiar with the academic environment and student life. The event also provides them with an opportunity to learn about various activities they can participate in during their studies at UMSU.
The event was attended by, among others, Chairman of the North Sumatra Regional Leadership Board of Muhammadiyah Hasyimsyah Nasution, members of the UMSU university leadership, several relevant officials from the North Sumatra Provincial Government, Chairman of IMM North Sumatra Rahmat Taufiq Pardede, Chairman of IMM Medan Rais Prayogo, academics and several other youth representatives.
The presence of these various stakeholders contributed to the special atmosphere surrounding the opening of the Ta'aruf event for the new students. In addition to introducing them to the university environment, the event provided students with an opportunity to learn about the values of education, organization, leadership and social engagement that are part of student life.
Surya once again emphasized that students should not make an academic degree the sole measure of the success of their education. In his view, they should use their time at university to gain experience and build character that can serve as a foundation for them later in both their professional careers and society.
Students should also pursue achievements while demonstrating a sense of responsibility and social concern toward others. These abilities, together with academic knowledge, are expected to help shape a younger generation that is prepared for change and capable of making a positive contribution to the region and the nation.
In this way, university life can become a period of comprehensive personal development for students. They acquire not only knowledge in the classroom, but also learn through organizations, social activities, leadership experiences and direct interaction with society. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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