MEDAN – USU Public Relations: Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) contributed to strengthening the national development discourse during the 2026 National Symposium held as part of the 2026 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention (KSTI), which took place from June 26–28, 2026, at Hall B of the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC) in Jakarta.

The event, which was attended and officially opened by President Prabowo Subianto, carried the theme "Strategies for Indonesia's Economic Self-Reliance and Prosperity." The national forum served as a strategic platform for bringing together ideas from the government, academics, and various stakeholders to discuss Indonesia's challenges and opportunities amid an increasingly dynamic global landscape.

Academics from Universitas Sumatera Utara actively contributed their perspectives during the forum. Ir. Ikhsan Siregar, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., Secretary of Universitas Sumatera Utara and a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering, stated that the 2026 National Symposium reflected a shift in Indonesia's development paradigm. According to him, the government no longer views universities solely as educational institutions but as strategic partners capable of producing innovations that can be translated into products, technologies, and public policies with tangible impacts on society and economic growth.

He noted that this perspective was evident throughout the presentations delivered by various speakers, who consistently encouraged greater involvement of higher education institutions in applied research, technological innovation, and implementation across industrial, agricultural, energy, maritime, and healthcare sectors.

From the perspective of national health development, Prof. Dr. dr. Elmeida Effendy, M.Ked., Sp.KJ., Subsp.B.P(K), Professor at the USU Faculty of Medicine, emphasized that Indonesia's healthcare system should continue shifting from a treatment-oriented approach toward preventive care. She explained that strengthening primary healthcare services, improving health literacy, enhancing community nutrition, and promoting early disease detection are essential to building a healthier and more productive society.

She added that health policies emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention represent a strategic response to the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Improving nutritional quality, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children during the first 1,000 days of life, is a long-term investment in the quality of Indonesia's human resources. Furthermore, strengthening mental health services is equally important in fostering resilient individuals and a resilient nation.

From the perspective of social development and human capital, Prof. Dr. Vivi Gusrini Rahmadani, M.Sc., M.A., Psychologist, Professor at the USU Faculty of Psychology, highlighted the importance of preserving national unity and strengthening resilience amid global uncertainty. She stated that today's global challenges require Indonesia to enhance its capacity to adapt, build trust, and improve productivity through human resources characterized by integrity.

According to Prof. Vivi, national resilience is determined not only by economic strength but also by the social and psychological resilience of society. To withstand and thrive amid global pressures, Indonesia must reinforce the spirit of mutual cooperation, foster healthy communication, promote integrity-based leadership, and prioritize mental health as a foundation for national resilience.

Addressing food security, forestry, environmental sustainability, and climate change, Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si., Dean of the USU Faculty of Forestry, stressed that future development must place environmental sustainability at its core. She explained that climate change is no longer solely an ecological issue but has evolved into a multidimensional challenge closely linked to food security, economic stability, and public welfare.

Prof. Arida emphasized the strategic role of forests in maintaining environmental balance through carbon sequestration, water regulation, soil conservation, and support for community livelihoods. Therefore, sustainable forest management, land rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, and the development of science-based technologies are essential measures for addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

The perspectives shared by USU's academics demonstrate that achieving the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045 requires a comprehensive and integrated approach. Human development, stronger social resilience, healthcare transformation, and environmental sustainability must advance together as interconnected pillars of the nation's development strategy.

Through the 2026 National Symposium, Universitas Sumatera Utara reaffirmed its role not only as a center for education and research but also as a source of strategic ideas that contribute to the nation's future. The insights provided by its academics form an important part of strengthening Indonesia's national development agenda, one that is focused on self-reliance, competitiveness, and sustainability in realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.