16 September 2020
Threesna Sharfina
MEDAN – HUMAS USU: The Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Prof. Dr. Runtung Sitepu, S.H., M.Hum., along with the university leadership and academic community, expressed deep sorrow and condolences on the passing of Prof. Dr. H. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis, DTM&H, Sp.A(K), on Wednesday (16/09/2020) at 07:45 WIB at Columbia Hospital, Medan. His passing coincided with the 68th Anniversary of the USU Faculty of Medicine. Prof. Chairuddin served as USU Rector for three terms: 1994–1998, 1998–2002 (extended to 2005), and the USU PT-BHMN period from 2005–2010.
This was conveyed by the Rector shortly after receiving the sad news. “The entire leadership and USU community deeply mourn the passing of Prof. Chairuddin P. Lubis. His works, ideas, and contributions—both as a lecturer and rector—were truly dedicated to USU’s advancement. Among his most monumental contributions was his successful effort in establishing USU as a State-Owned Legal Entity University (PT-BHMN) in 2003, the first outside Java Island, which has since evolved into PTN-BH in 2014,” said Prof. Runtung. According to the Rector, another memorable contribution from Prof. Chairuddin was securing 300 hectares of land for USU's Kwala Bekala campus, obtaining government support for the construction of USU Hospital, and laying the first stone of the hospital.
“During his leadership, USU was ranked among the top 10 public universities in Indonesia. He has left behind many achievements that remain monumental in USU’s history. Personally, I see Prof. Chairuddin not only as my predecessor but also as a mentor and elder brother I could turn to whenever I faced difficulties. His visionary, firm, and honest character, along with his tireless commitment to USU’s development, has been an inspiration and exemplary model for me. Farewell, our beloved brother Prof. Chairuddin. May all your dedication, goodness, and example be rewarded by Allah SWT. We all pray for your forgiveness and for the best place in the sight of Allah SWT,” he said with deep emotion.
Prof. Dr. H. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis, DTM&H, Sp.A(K), was born in Kuala Tungkal, Jambi, on March 18, 1945. He is survived by his wife, Ir. Hj. Dewi Herawati, and three children: Dr. Anggia Chairuddin Lubis, Dr. Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, M.Ped., and Dr. Anindita Lubis. According to colleagues, he had been ill for a long time, suffering from a stroke and several complications in his final days.
Prof. Chairuddin obtained his medical degree from the USU Faculty of Medicine in 1974, followed by a DTM&H Course from the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, in 1979, and a pediatric specialist degree from USU in 1980. He was certified as a Consultant Pediatrician in Tropical Infectious Diseases on March 27, 1987, by the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI).
He also served as Chairman of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle University Network (IMT-GT UNINET), a Regional Representative in the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) in June 2020 (resigned four days after inauguration), Commissioner of PT Perkebunan Nusantara (Persero) from June 5, 2003, to 2008, and Indonesian Representative in the Advisory Board of the Asian Pacific Pediatric Association. He was scheduled to be buried on Wednesday (16/09/2020) after the midday prayer (Zuhur) at the Sei Batu Gingging Public Cemetery in Medan. (HUMAS/RJ)
