USU PR-Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) immediately held the Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) for the Postgraduate program, on Saturday, (07/26/2023) at the USU Auditorium.

This campus life introduction activity is the first time it has been carried out for a postgraduate program. USU Rector Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos, M.Si said the entry selection process for undergraduate and graduate students was quite strict from previous years. The USU Rector also said that there are several differences in the selection process for new student admissions this time. The first difference is in the selection process. This year the admission process is carried out collectively and uses a digital base. Then after passing the selection, the university welcomes new students with PKKMB. The last difference conveyed by the USU Rector is in the attribute equipment. This year, new postgraduate students can have attributes before lectures begin.

"Well, the difference is, now after graduation, we also welcome new students who are included in PKKMB, just like the undergraduates, but with different material," The Rector explained

In line with that, the USU Rector said that postgraduate program students are required to have product outputs from learning, which is International Publication. This is based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) Policy for Transformation of Education Standards and Higher Education Accreditation for each study program. If the policy has been officially issued, USU's postgraduate program students are required to have one reputable international journal publication. The USU Rector urges that the journal can be published in Scopus.

The Rector also explained that if a student succeeds in publishing an article in a reputable journal in Quarter 3 or Quarter 2, then the student no longer needs to study and take courses.

"At most 2 years Masters graduate student can publish an article in a Q-3 or Q-2 reputable journal, then he no longer needs to go to college. There is no need to take courses in the old habit," explained the USU Rector.

This also applies if students do want not to take the final exam. The USU Rector said that students do not need to take a series of thesis exams, dissertation exams, or open promotions if a student can publish 2 Scopus international journals in Quarter 1.

"Likewise, for example, there is no need for a thesis exam or dissertation exam, open promotion if the student has been able to publish Scopus international journals in Q-1, for example for dissertations, doctorates as many as 2. So there is no need for him to take an open promotion exam," said the USU Rector.

Therefore, to facilitate students in writing and publishing scientific papers during the post-graduate process, the USU Rector urges students to visit the USU Scientific Writing Institute.

On the other hand, the Director of the Directorate of Student Achievement and Alumni Relations (Ditmawalumni) USU, Doli Muhammad Jafar Dalimunthe SE., M.Si., also explained the obligations of students in publishing journals. He explained that this publication is mandatory at the university for ranking. In other words, graduate students have a very large contribution to achieving university publications.

"This publication is also a mandate at the university that the University must have a certain number of publications for ranking," said Doli.

Author: Bambang Riyanto - Humas

Interviewee: - - -

Photographer: Muhammad Andriansyah - Humas