20 August 2018
Threesna Sharfina
MEDAN – USU Public Relations: A total of 111 civil servants (PNS) from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), including Rector Prof. Dr. Runtung Sitepu, S.H., M.Hum., were honored with the Satyalancana Karya Satya medal in recognition of their dedication, honesty, competence, and long-term discipline. The medals were awarded during the Indonesian Independence Day ceremony held at the USU Rectorate courtyard on Friday (August 17).
The 30-year Satyalancana Karya Satya medal was presented to the USU Rector by Chair of the Board of Trustees (MWA) Drs. H. Panusunan Pasaribu, M.M., in front of the entire academic community attending the ceremony. The medals, based on a Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia, were awarded in three categories:
30 Years of Service: 44 recipients from the Faculties of Law, Engineering, Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), and Computer Science and Information Technology (FTIK).
20 Years of Service: 20 recipients from the Faculties of Medicine, Law, Engineering, Economics and Business, FISIP, Public Health, and FTIK.
10 Years of Service: 47 recipients from the Faculties of Medicine, Law, Engineering, Economics and Business, FISIP, Psychology, and FTIK.
During the ceremony, the Rector read a message from the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, which celebrated the achievements of Indonesia’s youth in areas such as sports, innovation, and science and technology. However, he also noted that economic and industrial players' application of innovation and technology remains suboptimal.
Therefore, as centers of science and technology, higher education institutions are encouraged to strengthen their collaboration with industries and society to ensure that innovation contributes effectively to national development and addresses the country’s key challenges.
The Minister emphasized pressing challenges such as anti-corruption efforts, competitiveness, and the Industrial Revolution 4.0. He stated that Indonesia must move beyond traditional literacy (reading, writing, arithmetic) by adopting three new literacies in higher education:
All graduates of Indonesian universities should master these literacies. To support this, lecturers and education personnel must also improve their quality, particularly in leadership, teamwork, technological adaptability, and social entrepreneurship. The Minister believes that through this strengthening, university graduates will be equipped to meet the challenges of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and position Indonesia as a globally competitive nation.
Following the ceremony, the event continued with a friendly gathering and shared meal at the rear courtyard of the USU Central Administration Building. The celebration also featured the awarding of trophies and cash prizes to competition winners and a lucky draw session sponsored by event partners. (Public Relations)
