13 April 2020
Threesna Sharfina
MEDAN – USU PR: The big family of Universitas Sumatera Utara held a grocery package distribution event for Category I employees within USU and the surrounding communities socially affected by Covid-19. The activity was first carried out on Monday (April 13, 2020), located at Jalan Universitas No. 46, USU Campus, Medan, next to the official residence of the USU Rector. The distribution then continued to pre-determined locations to avoid excessive crowd gathering.
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The initial handover of aid packages was carried out by the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Runtung Sitepu, S.H., M.Hum., followed by the Chairperson of USU's Board of Trustees, Drs. Panusunan Pasaribu, M.M., Chair of the USU Academic Senate Prof. Dr. Suwarto, S.H., M.H., Vice Rector II Prof. Dr. dr. Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked (OG), Sp.OG(K), and Vice Rector III Prof. Drs. Mahyuddin K.M. Nasution, M.I.T., Ph.D. Also present on the occasion were Vice Rector IV Prof. Dr. Ir. Bustami Syam, M.S.M.E., Vice Rector V Ir. Luhut Sihombing, M.P., University Secretary Prof. Dr. dr. Farhat, M.Ked (ORL-HNS), Sp.THT-KL(K), Rector’s Expert Staff, faculty leaders, unit heads, institution leaders, and relevant staff.
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On that occasion, the Rector stated that this humanitarian initiative began with an appeal to all USU leaders and the academic community to contribute donations for lower-ranking employees and underprivileged people around USU. These two groups are the most exposed and economically vulnerable due to the disruption of small businesses that have been their source of income, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Rector explained that the purpose of this fundraising and grocery aid distribution is to reflect the USU academic community’s contribution to alleviating the burden of affected people. Therefore, the Rector affirmed that USU will continue the donation collection effort until the COVID-19 pandemic ends and the economy recovers. He also encouraged all lecturers and USU employees not to hesitate to donate, even in the smallest amount, as every contribution matters greatly during these challenging times.
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Meanwhile, USU Rector’s Expert Staff Dr. Rulianda Purnomo Wibowo, S.P., M.Ec., explained that a total of 1,000 grocery packages had been collected. The first stage of distribution began today and will continue gradually over time. Donation collection will also continue, as the spread of COVID-19 in society has not yet declined. Another Rector’s Expert Staff, Prof. Ir. Indra Surya, M.Sc., Ph.D., added that the funds for these grocery packages came from members of the USU Board of Trustees, the USU Professors’ Council, the USU Academic Senate, faculty and postgraduate school leaders, and institution and unit heads within USU. Each grocery package consists of 10 kg of rice, 2 liters of cooking oil, 2 kg of sugar, 10 packs of instant noodles, and a box of 50 tea bags.
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"We hope this assistance can ease the difficulties faced by the people, especially employees within the USU family. Hopefully, this pandemic will end soon, and everyone can resume their normal activities smoothly," added Prof. Indra. Before the grocery distribution, the USU Rector also inaugurated a foot-pedal handwashing station invented by USU's Integrated Laboratory Technical Unit (UPT).
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According to the Head of the UPT, Dr. Tulus Ikhsan Nasution, S.Si., M.Sc., the handwashing device was designed to offer greater safety for users by minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Users do not need to touch the water tap to use the device—only step on the pedal under the sink. Dr. Tulus stated that they are ready to mass-produce the device upon request, as handwashing remains a primary recommendation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 to humans. (PR)
