12 February 2026
Nurul Juliani, S.Si
Zoom Meeting, February 12, 2026 — The Public Sector Accounting Study Program of the Vocational Faculty of the University of North Sumatra participated in an online meeting via Zoom with leaders and delegates from Walailak University, Thailand, to discuss exploring international cooperation between universities. This meeting was the first step in strengthening strategic collaboration in the fields of research, international learning development, and contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the discussion, both parties discussed the potential for drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as an umbrella for institutional cooperation. The scope of collaboration explored includes cross-border research development, academic exchange for students, mobility opportunities for lecturers and students, and strengthening community-based collaboration that supports the sustainable development agenda.
International research collaboration is one of the main focuses of discussion. Through this partnership, it’s hoped that opportunities will open up for joint research, collaborative publications, and the development of strategic issues that are relevant globally and regionally. A cross-border approach is considered important to enrich academic perspectives and enhance the competitiveness of institutions at the international level.
In addition to research aspects, the discussion also highlighted the importance of providing international learning experiences for students. Potential forms of implementation include international guest lecture programs, academic project collaborations, cultural exchange activities, and academic mobility schemes that encourage cross-cultural interaction and strengthen students' global competencies.
As a partner institution, Walailak University is known as a comprehensive and research-intensive university in southern Thailand. The university has a global reputation through various international rankings released by Times Higher Education, including World University Rankings, Impact Rankings, and Young University Rankings. Walailak University is also known for its strong commitment to sustainable development as part of its institutional vision.
On the other hand, the University of North Sumatra is one of Indonesia's leading higher education institutions, focusing on strengthening quality research and developing strategic partnerships at the national and regional levels. This exploration of cooperation is in line with USU's commitment to promoting the internationalization of higher education and expanding its global academic network.
The meeting was also marked by the exchange of profile videos from each university as a form of more comprehensive institutional introduction. Through this initial step, both parties demonstrated their seriousness in building a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.
If realized in the form of an official MoU, the collaboration between Walailak University and USU has the potential to become an example of sustainable international partnership that integrates world-class research, academic mobility, and cultural collaboration programs to support the advancement of education and community welfare. This initiative is also in line with the commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which emphasize the importance of global collaboration in improving the quality of education and sustainable development.
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