Medan, August 6, 2026 – The Faculty of Vocational Education, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), continues to promote the development of lecturers’ competencies in responding to technological advancements and digital transformation in education. This effort was realized through the Workshop on Competency Development (Skills) in the Utilization of Digitalized Learning Facilities, held in Room 203, Building B, Faculty of Vocational Education USU, on Thursday (August 6, 2026).
The workshop was attended by the Faculty of Vocational Education USU’s Deanery and homebase lecturers. The event was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Education USU, Prof. Dr. Isfenti Sadalia, S.E., M.E., who emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of the academic community to adapt to developments in digital technology as part of efforts to improve the quality of learning.
The workshop featured Reza Taqyuddin, M.Kom., as the speaker, who delivered a presentation entitled “Enhancing Competencies through the Digital Transformation of Learning and Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”
The workshop addressed the paradigm shifts taking place in higher education, particularly in terms of the patterns and speed of information distribution, changing student expectations, and industry demands for graduates who possess practical and adaptive competencies and are ready to enter the workforce.
In his presentation, Reza also discussed several challenges faced by educators when preparing learning materials manually, including the significant amount of time required, limitations in differentiating learning materials, the potential for content to become outdated, and challenges in maintaining the quality and scalability of teaching materials.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) was introduced as one of the tools that can help address these challenges. AI is not intended to replace the role of educators, but rather to accelerate the preparation process, allowing educators to focus more on direct interaction with students, providing guidance, and implementing pedagogical approaches that align with learning needs.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of AI literacy as an increasingly essential competency in the workplace. Lecturers were encouraged to develop more dynamic course materials, incorporate case studies that reflect AI-based workflows, and foster a spirit of lifelong learning throughout the educational process.
Through this activity, the Faculty of Vocational Education USU is expected to become increasingly prepared to face digital transformation in higher education. Strengthening lecturers’ competencies in utilizing technology and AI is expected to support the creation of learning processes that are more adaptive, relevant, and personalized, while remaining aligned with industry needs and strengthening students’ readiness to navigate the evolving world of work in the era of artificial intelligence.