12 June 2026
Threesna Sharfina
The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held an information session on the 2026 New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), Taiwan, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The event took place in Classroom-1 (CR-1) of the Agrotechnology Study Program and aimed to provide information and preparation for students interested in participating in the international academic exchange program scheduled from September 2026 to January 2027.
The session was attended by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Nini Rahmawati, S.P., M.Si., lecturers, the Dean’s advisors, and student representatives from all undergraduate study programs within the Faculty of Agriculture, including Agrotechnology, Agribusiness, Food Technology, Animal Science, Aquatic Resources Management, and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Nini Rahmawati stated that study abroad programs are one of the implementations of Indonesia’s Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative and offer significant academic and personal development benefits for students.
"Studying abroad broadens students’ perspectives and provides opportunities to build international networks by interacting with students from various countries. This is a valuable asset for the future. We hope that more students from the Faculty of Agriculture, USU, will follow in the footsteps of our alumni and take advantage of the opportunity to study in Taiwan," she said.
She also emphasized that students participating in the program need not worry about extending their study period, as the five months of academic activities at NPUST will be recognized as equivalent to one semester, totaling 20 credit units (SKS).
During the experience-sharing session, James Wells, S.Agr., an alumnus of the New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program 2024, explained the preparations required before departure and shared his experiences studying in Taiwan. He discussed various aspects of international student life, including adaptation processes, academic culture, and interactions with students from diverse countries and backgrounds.
The information session also featured Matseh Kosasih, Chairman of the Advisory Board of ICATI (Ikatan Citra Alumni Taiwan Indonesia), and Dodi Huang, Chairman of ICATI, who provided detailed explanations regarding program implementation procedures and administrative requirements for prospective participants.
In his presentation, Matseh Kosasih reassured students that they should not be afraid to pursue studies abroad because strong alumni networks are available to provide support.
"There is no need to be afraid of studying overseas because alumni and representatives in Medan are ready to assist. ICATI also has a presence throughout Indonesia," he explained.
He further noted that ICATI North Sumatra is a non-profit Taiwan alumni organization officially designated as an accredited recommendation unit in North Sumatra, assisting prospective students with recommendation processes in accordance with established standards.
Meanwhile, Dodi Huang highlighted the importance of international experience in developing students’ collaboration and social skills.
"One of the main differences among graduates with overseas study experience is their ability to collaborate and work with people from diverse backgrounds. These social skills are cultivated throughout the study process," he said.
He added that Taiwan is an attractive educational destination due to its high-quality education, relatively affordable costs, and welcoming environment for cultural diversity.
Information about academic life at NPUST was also presented by Wida Akasah, S.Agr., M.Sc., a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, USU and an alumna of Chiayi University, Taiwan. She discussed the academic environment, campus facilities, and various academic opportunities available to students during their studies in Taiwan.
The event concluded with an interactive discussion and question-and-answer session. Participants raised questions regarding adaptation to new learning systems and environments, support organizations available for Indonesian students in Taiwan, and solutions for students concerned about English language requirements, particularly TOEFL scores.
Through this information session, the Faculty of Agriculture, USU hopes to encourage more students to take advantage of international study opportunities in order to enhance their academic competencies, expand their global networks, and prepare themselves to become graduates capable of competing in the global arena.
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