USU PR- USU's Social Anthropology Program, under the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, welcomed distinguished professors from the University of Indonesia (UI) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) as keynote speakers for the Visiting Professor event at the FISIP Theater, USU, on Friday (10/27/2023).

The event focused on the theme "Ethnosciences Paradigm and its Contribution to Development, as well as Cultural Policies for Community Development and Anthropological Contributions."

Dr. Edy Ikhsan, S.H., M.A., the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni of USU, commended the significance of the event, emphasizing the challenges in local knowledge development due to rapid changes and acculturation, which lacked support from the government.

"The challenge, in my opinion, arises due to the rapid changes and acculturation," he stated.

Dr. Hatta Ridho, S.Sos., M.SP., the Dean of FISIP, expressed his gratitude for the presence of Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto, a distinguished Anthropology professor and the Dean of FISIP at UI, and Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsah-Putra, M.A., M.Phil. a renowned Anthropology professor at UGM, as the keynote speakers. He also encouraged students to comprehend the shared knowledge thoroughly.

"I hope that all of you can absorb the knowledge provided," he expressed.

Dr. Drs. Irfan, M.Si., the Head of the Social Anthropology Program, conveyed his respect for the two visiting professors from UI and UGM. He urged the attending students to remember the essence of seeking knowledge, aiming to make a meaningful contribution to society, much like the two esteemed professors.

"Wherever we are, let us make ourselves beneficial to others; that is the most important meaning of knowledge," he remarked.

Dr. Dra. Sri Alem Br. Sembiring M.Si., as the Chairperson of the event, highlighted that the invited speakers were experts in the field of ethnosciences. She expressed her gratitude for the participation of Prof. Dr. Semiarto Aji Purwanto and Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsah-Putra, M.A., M.Phil. as keynote speakers.

"We believe they are the most knowledgeable in discussing Ethnosciences," she added.

During the event, Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsah-Putra, M.A., M.Phil. elucidated the origin and development of ethnosciences within the scope of Anthropology, emphasizing the contributions of Ethnosciences in providing solutions to societal issues. He expressed hopes for an increase in research in this field, enabling the public to understand and benefit from its findings.

"Here, I expounded on the origins of the ethnosciences paradigm in anthropology and its evolution," he clarified.

Author: Bambang Riyanto - Humas

Interviewee: - - -

Photographer: Amri Simatupang - Humas