USU PR – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains dan Teknologi/Kemendiktisaintek) has expressed appreciation for the swift actions taken by Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) in establishing the USU Peduli Emergency Post to help distribute basic necessities and humanitarian funds in collaboration with various stakeholders.

This was conveyed by the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Wakil Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains dan Teknologi/Wamendiktisaintek), Stella Christie, during her visit to the USU Peduli Emergency Post at the former Bank Sumut Building, Gate III of USU, on Thursday (12/4/2025).

Welcomed by USU Rector Prof. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., the Vice Minister held discussions with students who were flood victims and explained the importance of universities being present in the community to help ease the burden faced by disaster victims.

“As a form of support, Kemendiktisaintek has allocated IDR 50 billion to be utilized by the academic community in assisting flood disaster victims. This is a concrete example of a campus making an impact, and USU is welcome to submit an emergency response proposal,” said the Vice Minister.

Vice Minister Stella further explained that the assistance is open to all universities in Sumatra affected by flooding disasters. Each approved proposal funded by Kemendiktisaintek may receive financial support of up to IDR 500 million.

“Each proposal may receive a maximum of IDR 500 million, with total funding amounting to approximately IDR 50 billion. We hope these emergency response proposals will address several priority areas in disaster management and support for affected victims,” she stated.

Vice Minister Stella elaborated that there are at least eight areas of assistance expected. “The eight areas of assistance include logistics distribution, health and nutrition services, psychosocial support, rehabilitation, environmental sanitation and clean water needs, emergency education, economic recovery, public administration support, as well as disaster mitigation and education,” she explained.

She emphasized that universities and the academic community can now provide greater attention to fellow citizens who have become victims of flooding and landslides in Sumatra. At present, Kemendiktisaintek continues to mobilize assistance and hopes that cooperation with the academic community can generate significant and impactful support.

“We at Kemendiktisaintek are working hard to provide maximum assistance to our brothers and sisters together with the entire academic community,” she said.

USU Rector Prof. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., expressed his gratitude for the support from Kemendiktisaintek and explained that the USU Peduli Team has currently distributed assistance to Binjai, Langkat, Sibolga, and Central Tapanuli. “Lecturers from the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Medicine are also currently providing health services to disaster victims,” he stated.

In addition, USU students who are members of KOMPAS USU and Pramuka USU continue to provide assistance in areas around Medan. USU has also collected data on flood victims from within the university community, including students, educational staff, and lecturers who were affected, and assistance has now been distributed as comprehensively as possible.