USM–USU GLOBAL LEARNING JOURNEY: BRIDGING CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ACROSS NORTH SUMATRA
From academic exchange at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) to exploring the coffee entrepreneurship ecosystem in Simalungun, and immersing in culture, community, and sustainability in Samosir and Toba, the USM–USU Global Learning Journey 2026 offered six students from the School of Distance Education (PPPJJ), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) an international learning experience that bridged campus and community.
Held from 7 to 12 September 2026 in conjunction with the FISIP USU International Summer Course 2026, the programme carried the theme “Digital Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development and Community Engagement.”
Led by Dr. Norizan Baba Rahim, Programme Chair and accompanying academic staff, the delegation engaged in knowledge exchange, guest lectures, field-based learning, local entrepreneurship, community involvement, cross-cultural learning, and academic networking.
Medan: Strengthening Academic Networks
The journey began in Medan with visits to the FISIP USU campus, Welcome Tea, Academic Networking, and Welcoming Dinner sessions that fostered interaction and collaboration between PPPJJ USM delegates and the USU community.
The Academic Networking session provided a platform for both institutions to share perspectives, identify common interests, and explore potential academic collaborations.
Delegates also participated in the Opening Ceremony of the FISIP USU International Summer Course 2026, reinforcing their presence in this international learning platform.
Guest lectures further enriched the exchange, offering insights into academic knowledge and experiences in a global context.
Cultural immersion in Medan included visits to Tjong A Fie Mansion and Seng Hap 1881 Kesawan, exposing participants to the city’s heritage and social history.
Simalungun: Entrepreneurship in Practice
The learning journey continued in Simalungun, focusing on local enterprise and economic realities.
Visits to local coffee enterprises allowed participants to understand entrepreneurship, the coffee value chain, and the potential of local products through direct observation and interaction.
This experiential approach enabled participants to see entrepreneurship in its real context—local resources, production processes, and the communities sustaining these economic activities.
Samosir & Toba: Linking Culture, Community, and Sustainability
The final leg in Samosir and Toba connected entrepreneurship with culture, community, and sustainability.
Through visits to Pasar Tomok, Sigale-gale, Batak Museum, Ulos Village, and Huta Siallagan, participants gained exposure to Batak heritage and community life, deepening their understanding of the social and cultural fabric of the region.
The journey culminated at Kaldera Toba, where participants reflected on their experiences of culture, community, and sustainability throughout the programme.
Overall, the USM–USU Global Learning Journey 2026 successfully integrated academic exchange, experiential learning, local entrepreneurship, community engagement, and cross-cultural understanding into a meaningful international learning experience that truly connected campus with community.