MEDAN: Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., has been reappointed as Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) for the 2026–2031 term. The inauguration and oath-taking ceremony were conducted by the Chair of the Board of Trustees (MWA) of USU, Agus Andrianto, SH., MH., at the USU Auditorium on Wednesday (28/01/2026).

The Chair of the MWA, who also serves as Minister of Immigration and Corrections of the Republic of Indonesia, inaugurated Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin as the 17th Rector of USU for his second term of office based on MWA Decree Number 9/UN5.1.MWA/SK/TP.00.00/2025 dated November 18, 2025, concerning the Dismissal of the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara for the 2021–2026 Period and the Appointment of the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara for the 2026–2031 Period.

The event was attended by a number of high-ranking state officials, regional leaders, members of the DPR/DPD RI, consuls of friendly countries, former USU rectors, leaders of higher education institutions, alumni, industry partners, and community, religious, and traditional figures. Among them were the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Fauzan, M.Pd., the Governor and Deputy Governor of North Sumatra, as well as members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum of North Sumatra.

In his remarks, the Chair of the USU MWA conveyed congratulations and gratitude for the completion of the entire process of nomination, selection, and election of the Rector of USU, which was carried out properly. This demonstrated USU’s commitment as a State University with Legal Entity (PTNBH) status in maintaining orderly, transparent, and institutionally legitimate governance.

“The election of a rector is a space of academic democracy that naturally brings dynamics and differences of ideas, yet all are directed toward the same goal—building a better USU,” said Agus Andrianto.

He emphasized that a rector is not merely an administrative mandate holder, but also the guardian of academic dignity, a guide for the civilization of knowledge, and a determinant of the university’s future direction.

“Therefore, today’s inauguration marks the beginning of an important chapter for strengthening the institution and enhancing USU’s contribution to national progress. Today we reaffirm that there are no losers and no winners. The only winner must be Universitas Sumatera Utara. Let us close unproductive differences and open a new chapter of togetherness. We are one USU, one scientific community, one great academic home that must move forward together for the advancement of the university,” he asserted.

Agus Andrianto conveyed strategic messages to the Rector of USU: strengthen transparent, accountable, and integrity-based university governance; enhance the quality of the tridharma so that it remains relevant and impactful; promote research and innovation that are solution-oriented, not merely publication-driven; build strong collaboration with government, industry, global partners, alumni, and society; and restore internal solidarity, as a great university grows only through unity.

Meanwhile, in his remarks after being inaugurated, Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin expressed gratitude to the MWA and the Academic Senate of USU for conducting the election process for the Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara for the 2026–2031 period.

“Five years ago, precisely on January 28, 2021, I was inaugurated as Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara for the 2021–2026 period. At that time, it was not easy to consolidate programs due to the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with determination and continuous effort, Universitas Sumatera Utara has laid a strong foundation to become a world-class university. In 2021, QS WUR first placed USU at the 1201+ rank and it has since advanced to the 1001 band. This was followed by THE WUR at the 1500 band, THE Impact at the 601 band, and various other international rankings over the five-year period (2021–2026),” Muryanto recounted regarding USU’s journey during his first term.

According to him, if likened to a car race, USU has completed its first lap, from the 2021 start to the 2026 finish. In this era described as hyper competition, the world never stops racing and countries compete with one another as if on a circuit.

“Certainly, it will be difficult if we try to compete with major countries and world-class universities in the same way. We must remain on the racing circuit while positioning local differentiation as a strength to be showcased globally. We must become a unified entity, creating innovation as race strategists. That is why teamwork is essential,” Prof. Muryanto stated optimistically.

He emphasized that current global changes are highly unpredictable. Therefore, everyone must use this momentum to transform while building an incorporated Indonesia—an Indonesia that unites and consolidates all strengths and professional excellence to accelerate in winning the competition on the global circuit. Only through innovation, new approaches, relentless hard work, and discipline will the university remain competitive.

“On the second lap of the racing circuit for 2026–2031, let us together seize the momentum of global change as a crucible for transformation, harnessing all existing strengths, building an incorporated Indonesia to become champions in hyper competition. Our intention and hard work are not only to build Universitas Sumatera Utara, but also to build the Pancasila State, the Red and White, and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” Muryanto affirmed.

Muryanto Amin also expressed gratitude to all leadership elements, the academic community, and alumni who have supported him throughout his first term and hoped for the same support in the next five years.

On the same occasion, the launch of the National Higher Education Consortium for Natural Disaster Resilience was conducted by rectors from ten universities: Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Universitas Malikussaleh, Universitas Samudra, Universitas Andalas, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Universitas Teuku Umar, Institut Pertanian Bogor, and Universitas Negeri Semarang.

The Rector of Universitas Gorontalo, as Chair of the Council of Rectors of State Universities, symbolically handed over a vest to the Rector of USU as the consortium chair, witnessed by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Dr. Fauzan, M.Pd., and the Director General of Research and Development of Higher Education, Dr. Fauzan Adziman, ST., M.Eng.