USU Public Relation – The Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Prof. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., emphasized that universities can no longer focus solely on producing graduates with strong academic records. Higher education institutions must also prepare graduates with the skills and competencies required by an ever-evolving labor market and industrial landscape.

The statement was delivered during the orientation program for Heads of Study Programs and Departments across USU, held from July 17 to July 20, 2026. In his presentation, the Rector highlighted skills mismatch—the gap between graduates' competencies and industry needs—as one of the key challenges facing higher education.

According to the Rector, universities today must go beyond increasing graduation rates and ensure that graduates are competitive and capable of adapting to the changing demands of the job market.

"Universities must produce graduates who are relevant to the needs of the times. Curricula, learning processes, and research activities must continuously be aligned with industry developments so that graduates acquire the competencies that employers truly need," said Prof. Muryanto Amin.

The Rector stressed that improving graduate quality is a crucial component of enhancing a university's reputation. Therefore, every study program must continuously evaluate its curriculum and teaching methods to keep pace with technological advancements and the evolving needs of the business and industrial sectors.

The orientation also introduced indicators of graduate competitiveness based on international university ranking metrics, including Employer Reputation and Employment Outcomes. These indicators serve as benchmarks for measuring a university's success in producing graduates who are highly employable and well-prepared for the workforce.

According to the Rector, Heads of Study Programs play a strategic role in bridging the gap between industry requirements and academic education. He therefore encouraged continuous curriculum innovation and stronger collaboration with industry partners.

"Study programs must be adaptive to change. We should not merely produce graduates; we must ensure that they possess the competencies, character, and capabilities needed to compete at both the national and global levels," he said.

In addition to strengthening graduate quality, USU continues to promote faculty development, enhance research capacity, and expand partnerships with industry as part of its commitment to continuously improving the quality of higher education.

Prof. Muryanto Amin expressed his hope that all Heads of Study Programs would translate these strategic directions into concrete work programs that directly enhance graduate quality and further strengthen USU's academic reputation on the international stage.