The delegation from UW Law School comprised Jason Smith, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, and Monique Lu, Assistant Director for Graduate Programs. They were received directly by the Dean of FH USU, Dr. Mahmul Siregar, S.H., M.Hum., alongside Senior Professor of FH USU, Prof. Dr. Ningrum Natasya Sirait, S.H., M.Li.; Vice Dean I, Dr. Agusmidah, S.H., M.Hum.; and Vice Dean II, Dr. Zulfi Chairi, S.H., M.Hum. Also present were Heads and Secretaries of Study Programs and Managers within FH USU. Additionally, students from the International Undergraduate Program (IUP) of FH USU attended the session, taking advantage of the direct interaction opportunity with the UW Law School delegates.
This initial partnership exploration represents a strategic initiative by FH USU to accelerate its institutional internationalization. UW Law School is globally recognized for its signature "Law-in-Action" curriculum and highly active international legal research centers.
During the discussion, both parties reviewed several rational and high-impact collaboration avenues:
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Visiting Scholars & Professors:
UW Law School offers opportunities for foreign professors and researchers to stay for periods ranging from three months to a year. This program is ideal for fostering joint research initiatives under the mentorship of UW Law School faculty advisors.
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Research Collaboration via Specialized Centers:
Joint research projects can be established through internal research entities at UW Law School, such as:
Global Legal Studies Center (GLSC): Focusing on international law, climate law (Wisconsin Initiative on Law and Climate Change), and human rights.
East Asian Legal Studies Center (EALSC): Specializing in legal developments and dynamics across the Asian region.
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Student Exchange Program:
Both institutions explored bilateral student exchange opportunities, typically structured for up to two students per semester under a reciprocal tuition-waived framework at the host university.
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Joint Workshops & Publication:
Other strategic avenues include co-hosting international symposia and encouraging research contributions toward reputable legal journals published by UW Law School, such as the Wisconsin International Law Journal.
Through this exploratory meeting, FH USU aims to progress these initiatives into formal and concrete agreements, delivering tangible benefits for academic advancement, joint research, and international exposure for the FH USU academic community.
This initiative aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the internationalization of higher education curricula and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering cross-border academic alliances.