The event began with remarks by Chair of the Organizing Committee, drg. Darmayanti Siregar, M.K., followed by remarks from Dean of FKG USU, Dr. drg. Gema Nazri Yanti, M.Kes. Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation of USU, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., then delivered remarks and officially opened the 2026 International Summer Course.
A total of 24 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Gambia, and Turkmenistan took part in the program. Beyond serving as a platform for gaining academic knowledge, the 2026 International Summer Course also provided an opportunity for participants to interact and strengthen connections through a Get to Know Each Other session. The event was further enlivened by a choir performance and the presentation of souvenirs to invited guests as part of the welcoming activities for participants and guests during the international program.
Following the opening session, participants continued with the academic agenda in the classrooms of Building B through two lecture sessions delivered by experts from international universities. The first session featured Sunporn Namano, DDS, CAGS, DScD, from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, who delivered a lecture entitled “Zirconia Dental Implants and Topographic Effect on Osseointegration.” The following session featured Dr. Wan Izlina Wan Ibrahim from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, who presented “Natural Resources and Technology in Oral Biology.” Both sessions provided participants with opportunities to broaden their knowledge of developments in science and technology in the field of dentistry.
The first day concluded with a Yoga Session in the Nazir Alwi Room, led by a representative of the Consulate General of India in Medan. In addition to providing relaxation after a full day of academic activities, the session offered a cross-cultural interaction experience that strengthened participants’ sense of togetherness and fostered a more inclusive atmosphere.
The implementation of the 2026 International Summer Course is part of FKG USU’s commitment to strengthening the internationalization of education, expanding global academic networks, and creating a platform for knowledge and cultural exchange among students and academics from various countries. The program also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through cross-border learning and knowledge exchange; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by creating an inclusive space for interaction and learning among participants from diverse national backgrounds; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening international networks and partnerships between FKG USU and various educational institutions and global partners.
