Medan, June 29, 2026 – The Faculty of Vocational Studies at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held the contract signing ceremony for the 2026 Pilot Research Grant Program for Young and Early-Career Lecturers at the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Vocational Studies. The event marked one of the faculty's strategic initiatives to strengthen its research culture and enhance the research capacity of young and early-career lecturers.
The contracts were signed by lecturers whose proposals successfully passed the selection process, together with the Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Studies and the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization. The signing officially marked the commencement of research projects expected to produce high-quality and innovative academic outputs while making meaningful contributions to scientific advancement and addressing challenges faced by society.
The 2026 Pilot Research Grant Program for Young and Early-Career Lecturers received strong enthusiasm from the academic community of the Faculty of Vocational Studies. A total of 24 research proposals were submitted by lecturers from various study programs across the faculty. Following a comprehensive selection and evaluation process, 13 proposals were selected to receive funding for implementation during the 2026 fiscal year.
The Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Studies expressed appreciation to all lecturers who participated in the pilot research program. According to the Dean, the high number of submitted proposals reflects the growing research spirit and culture within the faculty. The Dean also expressed hope that the grant recipients would conduct their research effectively and produce outcomes that benefit academic development, industry, and society.
Meanwhile, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization emphasized that the pilot research program serves as a capacity-building platform for young and early-career lecturers to strengthen their research competencies. In addition to encouraging academic productivity, the program is expected to provide a solid foundation for lecturers to develop more competitive research projects at both the national and international levels.
Through the implementation of the 2026 Pilot Research Grant Program for Young and Early-Career Lecturers, the Faculty of Vocational Studies at Universitas Sumatera Utara continues to demonstrate its commitment to building an excellent, innovative, and sustainable research ecosystem as part of its broader mission to advance high-quality and globally competitive vocational education.