MEDAN – USU PR: The Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Medan City, Palacheta Subies Subianto, B.A., M.Sc., successfully earned a Doctoral degree in Development Studies from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), with very satisfactory results. The open doctoral promotion session was held in the IMTGT Room, USU Rectorate Building, on Monday (December 8, 2025).

At the open doctoral promotion session chaired by USU Vice Rector I Prof. Dr. Edy Ikhsan, S.H., M.A., Palacheta presented a dissertation entitled “The Role of the Chinese Ethnic Community in Post-Reform Development in North Sumatra.” The Medan City DPRD member from the Golkar faction analyzed the transformation of the role of the Chinese ethnic community in post-reform development in North Sumatra through three main dimensions: political; economic and social; as well as educational and socio-cultural.

According to Dr. Palacheta in his dissertation, the reform era has opened wider opportunities for participation for the Chinese community as an integral part of the multicultural society of North Sumatra. His research findings show that in the political sphere, the Chinese ethnic community has experienced a significant shift from being a marginalized group during the New Order period to becoming active, adaptive, and credible political actors in the local public sphere. Their involvement reflects the strengthening of socio-political integration while contributing to a more pluralistic and inclusive democratic consolidation. This process illustrates the formation of project identity (Castells), which encourages the emergence of a more open form of citizenship identity that is not bound by ethnic exclusivity.

In the economic and social aspects, the Chinese community plays a strategic role through the strengthening of trust-based business networks (guanxi), social capital (Bourdieu, Putnam), as well as the development of cross-ethnic philanthropic initiatives. Their contributions are not solely oriented toward internal economic interests, but also promote community empowerment, increased social mobility, and expanded access to education for vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, in the cultural sphere, the Chinese community in Medan demonstrates an interesting dynamic, in which Chinese identity in the post-reform era has been reconstructed toward a more open, nationalistic, and adaptive form.

“Young Chinese generations are now more actively involved in cross-cultural activities, engaged in social organizations, and expressing cultural identities that synergize with local values. The role of the Chinese ethnic community today can no longer be understood solely from an economic perspective, but must be placed within a broader framework that includes social, political, cultural, and educational aspects,” concluded Dr. Palacheta while defending his dissertation before the examiners.

Previously, Dr. Palacheta earned his undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco, USA, and his master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom. Also present at the occasion were the Dean of FISIP USU, the Head of the Development Studies Program, the promoter, a number of lecturers and doctoral students, members of the promotee’s family, and practitioners.