It was different in previous years. The celebration of the Anniversary in 2022 looks much more lively, even though the Covid-19 pandemic has not yet fully subsided. The most prominent difference is the presence of several men with a strapping and burly posture, wearing tactical and batik uniforms and behaving very officially. That is what marks the presence of a state official in the midst of the USU Law Faculty's happy day celebration.

The Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Yasonna H Laoly, SH, M.Sc, Ph.D, was the main star of this year's Anniversary of the Faculty of Law of USU. Although not attended by several officials and important invitations, because at the same time there is a visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia in North Sumatra, the momentum still does not lose its luster. Appearing as the sole performer of scientific oration at the anniversary celebration, the white-skinned Professor seemed to bring new light to the hope of USU Rector Muryanto Amin to call the alumni of the 6th PTNBH, synergizing to build a common home: Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Welcomed with ulos as a sign of honor from the USU Faculty of Law, Prof. Yasonna, who became the 1,111th alumni of the Faculty of Law in this momentum, asked the Universitas Sumatera Utara to continue to improve itself. He hopes that the rector, dean, and all apparatus can synergize well to encourage good changes. He asked the campus to actively innovate, especially in the fields of research, patents, and IPR.

“Creativity is needed to encourage lecturers to work, conduct research, and produce innovations that are in line with changes. No more conventional methods of teaching. We must be able to adapt to a world that continues to produce updates in all fields,” he said.

Speed, the use of information technology, and bringing universities closer to the industrial world are three things that must be responded to and adapted well. “We from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will continue to help from patents, innovations, and copyrights registered to our place. I think USU will be respected if what is presented by the Rector can be realized properly,” said the former Dean of the Faculty of Law of HKBP Nommensen University for the 1998-2000 period.

He also underlined the importance of a hardworking, creative and innovative mentality as the main capital to achieve success. According to him, in future competition, text book thinking can no longer be relied upon, because creativity is very important.

“USU must be able to synergize the knowledge that has been obtained on campus with the outside world, the industrial world, and the world of innovation, as well as other elements. Changes in the future are very fast. Suppose we are still in the old ways. It can no longer be used,” he said.

According to the man who completed his Doctoral and earned his Ph.D from North Carolina State University, USA (1994), USU must be able to develop innovations with lecturers.

“Research must also be developed and must adapt to the outside world. The campus should not be an ivory tower. So, both students and lecturers must really see this dynamic world with a better vision for the future in response to an advanced world. The curriculum syllabus is no longer conventional. USU must open itself to innovations that are transformative and visionary,” concluded the man who completed his elementary to high school education in Sibolga with a smile.

USU Rector, Muryanto Amin, on various occasions, always emphasizes that the role of alumni is needed to build USU in the future and realize USU as an international standard university. The Internationalization Program of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), which is targeted by the USU Rector to penetrate 500 QS World University Ranking, must be supported by alumni, especially in expanding the network and strengthening USU's reputation, both in the academic area and in the industrial world, which can be an additional capital in the realization of these long-term programs.

The same thing was also agreed by the Dean of the USU Faculty of Law, Dr. Mahmul Siregar, SH, M.Hum. Met after the event, Dr. Mahmul said that Prof. Yasonna is one of the best alumni of the USU Faculty of Law.

“We hope that the presence of the Minister can again mobilize alumni to pay attention to the faculty because there are many things we want to do in the future, and it requires alumni involvement. Therefore, the Minister, who is one of our symbols of pride, has now returned to campus. So we hope other alumni can do the same. Let's make this already good USU campus even better,” he said.

According to the Dean of the USU Faculty of Law, there are a number of collaborations that will be built with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. “Actually, so far our cooperation with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights has been going well in the form of scientific activities, supervision of notary positions, and others. We want everything that has been started to be developed further, including the implementation of MBKM and other innovative civitas creativity. Yes, maybe later it can be developed again, including the development of Intellectual Property Rights and others,” he hoped.

Dr. Mahmul also hinted that there had been special talks with the Minister of Law and Human Rights. “What is clear is that we will increase the development of a number of collaborations. The Minister has also promised to assist USU in intellectual property rights, capacity building for lecturers and students, and many other things. Both through regional offices and other directorates. Let us pray that everything goes well and smoothly for a better USU,” said Dr. Mahmul, closing the conversation.

The Minister's promise is a promise that must be welcomed and taken seriously by the Universitas Sumatera Utara. USU Rector Muryanto Amin did not seem to want to waste any more time. As soon as the Minister passed, he held a limited leadership meeting of the USU Faculty of Law, to follow up the Minister's visit with a number of priority work agendas.

The synergy between USU and alumni is like a drumbeat that is getting higher. Beating louder and louder encouraging the spirit of the community so that it does not fade before it develops. Let us fully support. (RJ)