Medan, August 27, 2026 — In welcoming the new academic year, the Master’s Program in Law Studies (MIH), Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held the 2026 Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB). The activity took place in Room B2, Haji Anif Building (GHA), Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara.

The event was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Dr. Mahmul Siregar, S.H., M.Hum.; Head of the Master’s Program in Law Studies, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Dr. Mahmud Mulyadi, S.H., M.Hum.; Secretary of the Master’s Program in Law Studies, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Dr. Rosmalinda, S.H., LL.M.; and Secretary of the Doctoral Program in Law Studies, Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Dr. Afnila, S.H., M.Hum. The event also featured senior lawyer Dr. Hasrul Beny Harahap, S.H., M.Hum., founder of HBH Centre and Chairman of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara.

In his address, the Dean congratulated the new MIH students on their admission for the 2026 academic year and welcomed them to the Master’s Program in Law Studies. He encouraged students to complete their studies on time and to follow the procedures established by the study program. He also emphasized that lectures should be conducted as effectively as possible and in accordance with the study program’s guidelines.

The Dean further explained that the learning process in the program applies a student-based learning approach, in which students are at the center of the learning process. Lecturers serve as facilitators who can be approached for discussions, provide stimulation, and offer learning materials. However, students are also expected to actively seek knowledge from various sources, including the internet, libraries, and other sources of information.

Students were also encouraged to read and understand academic regulations, including provisions concerning publication and scientific writing as part of the completion of their studies. With regard to discussions currently developing at the university level, publications are being directed toward becoming a requirement that must be fulfilled as part of the process leading to examinations and completion of studies, rather than merely an administrative requirement for obtaining a degree. The technical provisions remain subject to the official academic regulations in force.

“Therefore, let us work together so that the study process can run well and students can complete their studies on time,” the Dean said.

The Head of the Master’s Program in Law Studies, Faculty of Law, USU, Dr. Mahmud Mulyadi, S.H., M.Hum., also welcomed the new students. He encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity to complete their studies within one year and seven months and emphasized that scientific articles should be prepared from the beginning of the study period.

Dr. Mahmud also explained that the study output article would, in principle, become one of the requirements for taking the examination, rather than merely a requirement to be fulfilled when students collect their diplomas. Therefore, articles or journal manuscripts should be prepared before the examination. Further technical provisions concerning publication requirements will be explained by the study program management.

At present, the minimum publication requirement is a journal indexed in SINTA 4. The study program also manages a journal ranked SINTA 3. In the future, students will also be encouraged to publish in international journals, including international journals that are not yet internationally reputable. Publication in reputable international journals would, of course, be an even greater achievement.

“Please remain enthusiastic. We will work together. If you encounter academic problems, please communicate with the study program management. Students are our priority in providing services. If I am in my office, students are welcome to come in and communicate, including when I have guests, whenever circumstances permit,” Dr. Mahmud emphasized.

The Secretary of the Master’s Program in Law Studies, USU, Dr. Rosmalinda, S.H., LL.M., also delivered remarks, welcoming the new students of the MIH program for the 2026/2027 academic year. She encouraged students to remain enthusiastic throughout their studies, work on their theses, and prepare publication articles, with the minimum requirement being publication in a SINTA 4 journal or, alternatively, publication in a reputable international journal as a requirement for the thesis examination.

The PKKMB also featured senior legal practitioner Dr. Hasrul Beny Harahap, S.H., M.Hum., as a guest speaker. Drawing on his extensive experience in legal practice, he explained that returning to campus for academic discussions provides practitioners with an opportunity to refresh their perspectives. In addition to gaining academic insights, practitioners can share their experiences of legal practice in the field.

He emphasized that interaction between academia and legal practice is highly beneficial. Therefore, universities should continue to serve as spaces for discussion and educational activities that critically examine various legal products and developments.

One of the developments that deserves further study is the issue of new criminal procedural law and its application to acquittals. In practice, differences have emerged in the handling and interpretation of legal remedies against acquittal decisions. These issues have resulted in varying practices in several regions.

Dr. Hasrul Beny, who is also the founder of HBH Centre and Managing Director of Hasrul Benny Harahap & Partners Law Office, as well as Chairman of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara (IKA FH USU), expressed his appreciation to the new students. He encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity to pursue graduate-level education.

He also encouraged students to develop academic forums on current and emerging legal issues. “If there are interesting legal issues developing today, they can be developed into academic discussion forums on campus,” he said.

The PKKMB was conducted in a focused and engaging atmosphere, with participants actively sharing perspectives and discussing various issues with the speaker.

In relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the activity primarily supports SDG 4: Quality Education through the strengthening of academic capacity, scientific writing, and student-centered learning. It also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through interaction and collaboration among the study program, faculty leadership, academics, alumni, practitioners, and students in strengthening the academic environment.

Through the 2026 PKKMB, the Master’s Program in Law Studies, Faculty of Law, USU, reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality graduate education while encouraging students to develop academic competence, scientific integrity, critical thinking, and engagement with contemporary legal issues.