Kedah, Malaysia, July 29, 2026 — The Applied Bachelor's Degree Program in Public Sector Accounting at the Faculty of Vocational Education of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) concluded the series of activities for “The Global Nexus: USU × UUM” by participating in the closing session of the Sustainability Workshop, a program designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the application of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in education, business, and community life. This event underscored the commitment of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to promoting the sustainable internationalization of higher education.

On the final day of the workshop, the material focused on implementing sustainability concepts across various aspects of life, from daily activities and responsible business practices to career development and the skills needed to navigate an ever-evolving job market. These discussions highlighted that sustainability principles have now become an integral part of various sectors, including higher education and the professional world.

In addition to discussing the concept of sustainability, the workshop also encouraged participants to understand how SDG and ESG principles can be implemented in decision-making, organizational governance, and the development of innovations that have a positive impact on society and the environment. Through various interactive discussion sessions, participants were guided to recognize that sustainability is no longer merely a concept, but rather an approach that needs to be integrated into learning, research, and professional practice.

To conclude the workshop series, participants presented the results of their group discussions, which had been compiled throughout the event. The facilitators then provided feedback on these presentations to help evaluate the sessions and further deepen the participants’ understanding of sustainability issues. The event continued with a reflection session that provided an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned during the workshop. During the closing session, the facilitators reiterated the importance of integrating sustainability principles into higher education to produce graduates who are adaptable, innovative, and concerned about global challenges.

In addition to attending the Sustainability Workshop, the delegation from the Applied Bachelor's Degree Program in Public Sector Accounting represented by Dr. Sambas Ade Kesuma, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., and Risanty, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA. also took the opportunity to discuss with faculty and students at Universiti Utara Malaysia their learning experiences, the development of global competencies, and various opportunities for future academic collaboration. This exchange of ideas served as a forum for sharing experiences regarding educational practices at each institution while exploring potential cooperation in the fields of education, research, scientific publications, and community service.

On the same occasion, Dr. Sambas Ade Kesuma also paid a courtesy visit to the Islamic Center at Universiti Utara Malaysia as part of efforts to strengthen institutional ties and expand networks with various strategic units within UUM. The visit reflects a commitment to building relationships that focus not only on academic aspects but also on strengthening inter-institutional cooperation that can support future program development.

The entire series of activities on the third day reflected the shared commitment of the Universitas Sumatera Utara and Universiti Utara Malaysia to promoting the internationalization of higher education through knowledge exchange, strengthening academic networks, and developing sustainability-oriented collaborations. This event also marked the conclusion of The Global Nexus: USU × UUM series, which had provided various forums for discussion and collaboration to strengthen the partnership between the two institutions.

Concluding their participation in the program, Dr. Sambas Ade Kesuma and Dr. Risanty expressed their hope that the experience gained during “The Global Nexus” would serve as a foundation for developing various collaborative programs that integrate the principles of sustainability into education, research, innovation, and community service. Through this ongoing collaboration, the synergy between the Universitas Sumatera Utara and Universiti Utara Malaysia is expected to make a tangible contribution to improving the quality of higher education while supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals.