Medan, September 22, 2026 — After the first meeting in the morning, the camaraderie among the delegations from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) continued at the Welcoming Ceremony of the International Summer Course 2026. Held at the Prof. Dr. Suhadji Hadibroto Hall, FEB USU, the event provided a space for participants to get to know each other in a more informal atmosphere.
Starting at 7:00 PM WIB, the event carried the theme "Moonlight Shadow," with shades of black, gray, and white. Present at the event was the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization of the Faculty of Vocational Education USU, Mr. Junedi Ginting, S.Si., M.Si., along with several representatives from PTPN, heads of study programs within the Faculty of Vocational Education, lecturers from UUM and UiTM, as well as participants of the International Summer Course.
In his speech, Mr. Junedi Ginting expressed hopes that the Malaysian delegates could enjoy their experience while in North Sumatra, especially in Medan, and gain benefits from the series of Summer Course activities.
"The hope is that the Malaysian delegation feels happy during their time in North Sumatra, particularly in Medan, and gains benefits and lessons from this Summer Course journey, as there may be differences in such activities, but through those differences, valuable experiences can be gained for the future," he said in his opening remarks.
This message resonated with the atmosphere of the event, which brought together participants from different backgrounds and countries. In an informal session, USU and Malaysian students interacted and conversed more casually, continuing the introductions that had begun during the first meeting in the morning.
The sense of togetherness was also marked by the presentation of plaques from PTPN to the Faculty of Vocational Education of USU, UUM, and UiTM, as well as the signing of an Acknowledgement between PTPN and the Faculty of Vocational Education. This moment became part of a series of activities that strengthen the relationship between the institutions and the parties involved in the implementation of the International Summer Course 2026.
In addition to interactions among participants, the culinary experience became one of the highlights for the Malaysian delegation. A variety of Indonesian dishes were served during the communal meal, including Padang satay, meatballs, and several other dishes. However, the experience of tasting Indonesian food also brought its own stories. Some members of the Malaysian delegation admitted to feeling the spiciness of some of the dishes served. Some students even had to adjust as they were not used to food that uses a lot of chili.
Despite this, the atmosphere of the communal meal remained warm. The delegates appeared enthusiastic about trying the available dishes, including the homemade meatballs that caught their attention. This experience showed that cultural exchange does not always take place through formal sessions. Conversations at the dining table, trying new foods, and sharing experiences about each other's customs also contributed to the process of getting to know each other between Indonesian and Malaysian students.
Through the Welcoming Ceremony, the series of the International Summer Course 2026 not only became a space for academic learning but also opened opportunities for participants to understand cultural differences through direct experiences. The differences encountered during the activities became part of the experiences that could enrich the participants' journeys. As mentioned in the speech, this diversity of experiences is hoped to provide valuable lessons that resonate with participants, both during their time in North Sumatra and after they return to their respective countries.