Jakarta – Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) once again demonstrated its growing international presence by participating in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026, held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Jakarta. UMSU’s participation in this prestigious global forum reflects the university’s strong commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through education, research, community engagement, and impactful collaboration.
The congress brought together higher education institutions, industry leaders, government representatives, and international organizations from around the world. At the event, UMSU joined several leading Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMA) in a shared exhibition booth, showcasing best practices and success stories in implementing sustainable development initiatives across their respective institutions.
This participation highlights the significant role of the PTMA network not only in strengthening Indonesia’s higher education sector but also in contributing strategically to the global sustainable development agenda.
Representing UMSU at the event were Mhd. Shareza Hafiz, M.Acc., and Agus Sani, M.Sc., serving as the university’s Ranking PIC and Co-PIC. They introduced UMSU’s flagship programs, institutional achievements, and sustainability initiatives to international delegates and visitors from various countries.
Through its exhibition booth, UMSU shared inspiring success stories demonstrating how the university creates tangible impacts on society through the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Featured initiatives included internationalization programs, community service projects, community economic empowerment, cross-border collaborations, educational quality enhancement, and various green campus initiatives, all of which illustrate UMSU’s commitment to sustainable development.
For UMSU, the SDGs are not merely an international ranking framework but have become an integral part of the university’s academic culture and learning ecosystem. Sustainability values are embedded across teaching, research, community engagement, and institutional governance, enabling the university to produce graduates who excel academically while demonstrating strong social, economic, and environmental responsibility.
UMSU Rector, Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd., expressed his appreciation and full support for the university’s participation in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026. According to him, UMSU’s presence at the international forum represents an important strategy to strengthen the university’s global reputation while showcasing the meaningful contributions of higher education to sustainable development.
“UMSU is committed to delivering higher education that creates a meaningful impact on society. The SDGs are not merely targets to achieve; they have become the guiding spirit behind our education, research, community engagement, and institutional governance. Participating in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026 provides an invaluable opportunity for UMSU to share experiences while expanding international collaborations in support of a more sustainable future,” said Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd.
He further emphasized that UMSU’s achievements in various international rankings are the result of the collective dedication of the entire academic community in building a university that is globally competitive, academically excellent, and socially impactful.
This commitment is further reflected in UMSU’s inclusion once again among the world’s universities recognized in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026, which assess institutions based on their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. This accomplishment reinforces UMSU’s position as one of Indonesia’s leading universities consistently creating positive impact through education, research, innovation, and community engagement.
UMSU’s participation alongside other leading PTMA institutions at the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026 marks an important milestone in showcasing the contributions of Muhammadiyah higher education institutions to the global community. Guided by its vision of “Excellence in Building Civilization,” UMSU remains committed to becoming a university that not only produces high-quality graduates but also serves as a catalyst for addressing sustainable development challenges at the local, national, and global levels.
