01 November 2025
Threesna Sharfina
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FH USU-Public Relations: Daegu and Seoul—South Korea (1–6 November 2025). The Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FH USU), Dr. Agusmidah, S.H., M.Hum., served as one of USU’s delegates at the QS Summit Asia Pacific 2025 in South Korea. The USU delegation also consisted of the Vice Rector III, Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt.; the Secretary of DIKG, Arif Nuryawan, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D.; and the Dean of Fasilkom-TI, Dr. Maya Silvi Lydia, B.Sc., M.Sc.
The purpose of attending the QS Summit 2025 Asia Pacific was to expand partnerships among higher education institutions, strengthen USU’s international standing through a deeper understanding of ranking indicators, and build broader academic and research innovation networks. Participation in this global exhibition—attended by approximately 2,000 representatives from various universities—provided meaningful interactions and opportunities to establish collaborations across Asia Pacific. The Summit is also known as a platform to explore new innovations and ideas within higher education. In addition, the event supported efforts to enhance international rankings by understanding and clarifying key indicators released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), aimed at improving USU’s global reputation and competitiveness.
Other benefits included improving the quality of research and publications by building networks that encourage cross-country research collaboration and increasing international scientific publications. This initiative also enhances global visibility and strengthens USU’s branding in Asia, including efforts to attract international students through English-taught academic programs.
Through this event, several potential collaborations are expected to materialize, including Letters of Intent with partner universities, one-semester study programs for FH USU students at partner institutions (and vice versa), top scientist webinars, guest lectures, international peer reviews, joint research, teaching exchanges, supervision and research collaboration, double-degree programs, and other mutually beneficial forms of cooperation.
The delegation began its agenda on Saturday, 1 November 2025, with a visit to the Wood Science Laboratory of Kyungpook National University (KNU) in Daegu, South Korea. Activities included a campus tour of Kyungpook University and a meeting with Professor Byung Dae Park, a renowned scientist with an H-Index of 29 in the field of Wood Science, former doctoral advisor to Arif Nuryawan, Ph.D. (USU delegate and DIKG Secretary), and a former keynote speaker at the USU Faculty of Forestry’s Top Scientist Webinar. Discussions focused on continuing established collaborations, particularly after Prof. Park’s upcoming retirement, by connecting USU with his academic network to sustain ongoing partnerships.
The agenda continued on 4 November 2025 with the Opening Ceremony at Inchon Memorial Hall Auditorium, featuring the theme “Advancing Generational Potential – Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific.” Discussions centered on how universities in the Asia-Pacific region can inspire cross-generational success, skills development, and partnerships across academia, industry, and government. The ceremony featured Opening Remarks by Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, and Dong-One Kim, President of Korea University; a Guest of Honour Keynote by Ban Ki-moon, the Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; and a keynote from Dr. Kazou Yano, CEO of Happiness Planet.
On the following day, 5 November 2025, the delegates attended a session led by Juan Carlos Mejia Cuartas, Customer Experience Manager at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, titled “The Analytics Revolution: See Your University Like Never Before,” held at the QS Demo Lounge, 1F (Zone B – Stairs). The USU delegation also held a meeting with E Way Chong, Regional Director for Developing Markets at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, at the QS Booth in the Exhibition Hall. During this meeting, the delegation conveyed several concerns regarding the significant budget disparities for PTN BH institutions outside Java, emphasizing the difference in funding allocations from APBN. They proposed that financial capacity differences be considered in evaluating participation in QS-organized activities.
This visit yielded positive outcomes and is expected to contribute to the advancement of FH USU as it prepares for international recognition. The delegation secured several collaboration commitments with Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU) – Saudi Arabia; American International University – Bangladesh; Alliance University – India; King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah – Saudi Arabia; Al Ain University – Abu Dhabi; Manipal University Jaipur; Sunchon National University – Korea; Kyunghee University – Seoul; Al Azhar University – Cairo; Cavite State University – Philippines; University of Sharjah – United Arab Emirates; A’Sharqiyah University (ASU) – Oman; and several domestic universities.
The entire series of activities at the QS Summit 2025 Asia Pacific is expected to open pathways for FH USU to build partnerships with institutions and law faculties of strong international reputation. However, it is acknowledged that the impact of these collaboration commitments will only be significant if the agreed initiatives are implemented in concrete forms. The next essential step is to maintain strong communication with partner institutions and translate the commitments into tangible collaborative activities.
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