Public Relations USU - Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) hosted a visit from the People's Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) as part of the “MPR RI Goes to Campus” program. The event, themed “The Urgency of Energy Transition to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change,” was held at the Prof. Dr. Suhadji Hadibroto Auditorium of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) USU on Monday (June 16, 2025).

In his opening remarks, USU Rector Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., expressed his gratitude to MPR RI Vice Chairman Dr. Eddy Soeparno, SH, MH, who served as a speaker at the event. He noted that this event represents a concrete form of collaboration between state institutions and the academic community in addressing and promoting strategic national issues, particularly environmental and sustainable development.

“Your presence is not only an honor and a source of pride for us but also a tangible manifestation of synergy between state institutions and the academic community,” he said.

The USU Rector stated that the chosen theme is highly relevant to human civilization. He says climate change is a crisis with cross-border, multi-sectoral, and intergenerational impacts. Therefore, he emphasized that the solutions required cannot be sought half-heartedly. One of the main strategies to address this and create a clean and healthy world is energy transition, which is the central topic of this event.

“Climate change is the greatest challenge facing human civilization in the technological era, with cross-border, multi-sectoral, and intergenerational impacts,” he said.

Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., emphasized that campuses are spaces for the birth of ideas, innovation, and future leaders. Therefore, he hopes this event will foster awareness of environmental issues and generate constructive input on renewable energy policies in Indonesia. He believes that dialogue between state institution leaders and campuses can strengthen the collective spirit that, in addition to technical issues, the energy transition also involves political courage, social justice, and national sustainability.

“We hope that through this forum, various constructive inputs will emerge regarding the direction and policies for the development of renewable energy in Indonesia,” he said.

As a speaker at this event, Vice Chairman of the MPR RI, Dr. Eddy Soeparno, SH, MH., highlighted the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to healthier and cleaner renewable energy. He mentioned that some challenges in implementing renewable energy in Indonesia lie in technology, funding, and resources in difficult-to-access areas.

“Today, I am presenting and explaining the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy,” he said.

Dr. Eddy Soeparno, SH, MH, stated that the MPR RI always welcomes opportunities for students to collaborate and share ideas and concepts regarding energy issues, particularly concerning the energy transition. He hopes that students' ideas and concepts will eventually drive Indonesia's energy transition process.

“I encourage students to collaborate with the MPR to contribute ideas and concepts related to the energy transition,” he said.

USU is the 26th university to be visited by the MPR RI under the “MPR RI Goes to Campus” program, out of a total target of 50 universities across Indonesia that the MPR RI plans to visit.