The History of University of Sumatera Utara (USU) began with the establishment of the Foundation University of Sumatera Utara in June 4 1952. The establishment of this foundation was initiated by the Governor of  North Sumatera specifically to serve the people in North Sumatera and to Indonesian people generally. This foundation was managed by  a council whom directly lead by The Governor of Sumatera Utara himself, with structure as follow : Abdul Hakim (Vice chancellor); Dr. T. Mansur (Deputy Vice Chancellor); Dr. Soemarsono (Secretary/Bursar); Ir. R.S. Danunagoro, Drh. Sahar, Drg. Oh Tjie Lien, Anwar Abubakar, Madong Lubis, Dr. Maas, J. Pohan, Drg. Barlan, dan Soetan Pane Paruhum (members).

Actually the plan to establish  a public University began since before the world war II, but it was not approved by the Dutch Government. During the Japanese occupation, some foremost person in Medan including Dr. Pirngadi and Dr. T. Mansoer made a plan for a school of medicine. After the Indonesia Independence, the government appointed Dr. Mohd. Djamil in Bukit Tinggi as the chief committee. Later after sovereignty recovery from  a clash in 1947, Governor Abdul Hakim took an initiative to suggest the people in North Sumatera  to raise the fund for the establishment of a public university in Medan.

In December 31 1951 a preparation committee was formed to establish a public university lead by Dr. Soemarsono with members Dr. Ahmad Sofian, Ir. Danunagoro, and Mr. Djaidin Purba as secretary.

In the beginning of the establishment, the organization OF USU consisted of General Board of the Foundation, University President, Board of President and Accessory, Academic Senate and Board of Faculty.

As a result from the cooperation and support from all North Sumatera people (including Aceh at that time), in August 20 1952 a Medical Faculty was established in Jalan Seram with twenty seven students, two of them are women. Then followed with the establishment of Law and Public Science Faculty (1954), Pedagogy and Education Faculty (1956), and Agriculture Faculty (1956).

First Year Students

In November 20 1957, USU was inaugurated by President of Indonesian Republic Dr. Ir. Soekarno and became the seventh public university in Indonesia.

In 1959, Engineering Faculty in Medan and Economic Faculty in Kutaradja (Banda Aceh) was inaugurated by President of Indonesian Republic. Furthermore, in 1960 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry was established in Banda Aceh. Hence, at that time USU had five faculties in Medan and two faculties in Banda Aceh.

Later its followed with the establishment of Dentistry Faculty (1961), Letters Faculty (1965), Math and Natural Science Faculty (1965), Social and Political Science Faculty (1982), Postgraduate School (1992), Public Health Faculty (1993), Pharmacy Faculty (2007) and Psychology Faculty (2008).

In 2003, USU changed its status from Public University to a legal entity. The changing status of USU from public university to a legal entity was the fifth in Indonesia. Previously UI, UGM, ITB and IPB already changed their status in 2000. After USU, UPI (2004) and UNAIR (2006) also changed their status.

In its development, some of the faculties in USU  had became the pioneer for the establishment of three new universities which are University of Syiah Kuala in Banda Aceh, the pioneer is Economic Faculty and Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry in Banda Aceh. Then followed with the establishment of Pedagogy and Education Institute (IKIP), whom currently changes to University Negeri Medan (UNIMED), the pioneer is Pedagogy and Education Faculty of USU. After that, Polytechnic Negeri Medan was established (1999), whom previously its name was Polytechnic USU. 

University Chairmen