Steven Walker Simangunsong's remarkable experience as a Tax Administration program student at the Universitas Sumatera Utara, successfully securing a prestigious scholarship from the Indonesian government under the auspices of the LPDP agency, namely IISMA (International Indonesian Scholarship Awards) at Coventry University, United Kingdom. In the current era of quality education access, human resource investment becomes a crucial aspect in advancing the potential of the nation's youth. This time, Steven's opportunity to be one of the representatives receiving funding of almost half a billion in the IISMA program. For him, this scholarship is not just financial assistance, but also an opportunity to explore educational potential on an international scale, providing access to delve deeper into practical aspects relevant to his career.

According to Steven, this scholarship is optimally justified through the university's program and comprehensive facilities provided by Coventry University. As an international student studying Finance and Banking, Steven gains a handful of educational investment benefits at Coventry University, strengthening his foundation in formal education, character development, and integrity education. Steven's opportunity as a Finance student began with access to the Bloomberg Terminal software, a computer terminal providing financial information, market data, and sophisticated analytical tools, which became one of Steven's main weapons in navigating and gathering relevant information in the financial sector in real-time and globally. Based on available data, the cost to access the Bloomberg Terminal is quite high, reaching hundreds of millions per year and limited to financial institutions. However, thanks to the Indonesian government's financial support, Steven was able to pursue education at Coventry University, he gained invaluable experience in his formal education.

The IISMA scholarship program helps him advance to higher formal education and creates a resilient moral and emotional character transformation. Navigating through the IISMA program, Steven understands that self-investment is not just about increasing IQ or achieving academic degrees but about growing as a meaningful human being, providing evidence of reciprocal contribution to the surrounding environment. During his IISMA activities in Coventry, Steven was directly mentored by Professor Benny Tjahjono, an expert in Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. He also serves as the Director of Research Engagement for Indonesia. "Education investment programs like this are key for many individuals to grow not only as competent professionals in formal education but also as breakthroughs in interpersonal transformation with integrity for the recipients," concludes Steven.

In a groundbreaking stride toward internationalization, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam in education, research, and community service program. In addition to the student mobility program, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) hosted the UiTM International Cross-Culture Humanitarian Programme (ICCHP) 2023. Initiated by the KPPIM (Kolej Pengajian Pengkomputeran, Informatik, dan Matematik) at UiTM Shah Alam, ICCHP 2023 is a community service program at USU and SMA Negeri 15, with the primary objective of introducing fundamental computer techniques and computer-based mathematical sciences.

Running from November 13 to 16, 2023, the ICCHP 2023 program involved the participation of 25 Malaysian students and three lecturers. The program commenced with a welcome ceremony on the first day, graciously hosted by the USU Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (Fasilkom-TI). The event's highlight unfolded on the second day as participants actively engaged in a community service project at SMA Negeri 15, introducing basic computer techniques and computer-based mathematical sciences. Following the successful execution of the main event, the third day featured a guided tour of Medan City led by two USU students, Zilmi Haridhi (Law) and Muhammad Stia Abghipraya Adjie (Fasilkom-TI). The closing ceremony and cultural night on the last day occurred at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, where students from both universities performed a cultural night.

This series of program activities is envisioned as a pivotal step in the internationalization process between UiTM Shah Alam and USU, fostering a more comprehensive and positively impactful approach to realizing internationalization between the two institutions. Through this program, UiTM Shah Alam and USU aim to introduce and enhance cross-cultural understanding, cultivating a shared commitment to humanitarian goals. The collaboration of ICCHP 2023 will encompass joint community service, academic exchanges, and collaborative initiatives geared toward promoting cultural integration and emphasizing the importance of basic computer technology. This program serves as a platform for students and faculty members from both universities to engage in meaningful cross-cultural interactions, contributing to developing a more interconnected and empathetic global community.

Expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration, Dr. Suzana Binti Ahmad, a lecturer in KPPIM at UiTM Shah Alam, stated, "This partnership signifies a significant step forward in our commitment to global humanitarian efforts. By joining forces with USU, we aim to leverage our collective strengths to make a positive impact on society." Similarly, Dr. Mohammad Andri Budiman, S.T., M.Comp.Sc., M.E.M., the Vice Dean I of Fasilkom-TI at USU, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and the introduction of basic computer techniques for students. "ICCHP 2023 provides an opportunity to work together in finding innovative solutions that transcend cultural boundaries," he added.

The collaborative internationalization efforts between USU and UiTM Shah Alam are anticipated not only to contribute to the success of ICCHP 2023 but also to the broader advancement of cross-cultural initiatives in academia and beyond. As the two institutions join hands, they envision a future where international collaborations become a catalyst for positive change and a model for global cooperation in addressing educational needs in the future.

A delegate from Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia, along with the Indonesian Consul General in Karachi, Dr. June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, visited the NED University of Engineering and Technology Campus on May 29, 2023. NED University of Engineering and Technology, led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, along with Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tufail and other university officials, warmly welcomed the USU delegate at the Vice Chancellor Office in Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan.
Universitas Sumatera Utara delegate was headed by Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt (Vice-Rector for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation), Dr. Edy Ikhsan, S.H., M.A (Vice-Rector for Academics, Student, and Alumni Affairs), Dr. Cut Fatimah Zuhra, S.Si., M.Si (Vice-Dean for Academics, Students, and Alumni Affairs of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), and Dr. Rudy Sofyan, S.S., M.Hum (Head of International Affairs Office). In the courtesy visit, USU and NED University of Engineering and Technology agree to start collaborative work in education, research, and other academic joint projects such as joint supervision, publication, conference, and summer course program. “We have to collaborate to improve our internationalization, and if we don’t collaborate, we will be forced to do so”, added Prof Sarosh in his welcoming address.

On 29 May 2023, the Universitas Sumatera Utara visited Iqra University in Karachi, Pakistan. The delegation, led by with the Indonesian Consul General in Karachi, Dr. June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, was headed by Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt (Vice-Rector for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation), Dr. Edy Ikhsan, S.H., M.A (Vice-Rector for Academics, Student, and Alumni Affairs), Dr. Cut Fatimah Zuhra, S.Si., M.Si (Vice-Dean for Academics, Students, and Alumni Affairs of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), and Dr. Rudy Sofyan, S.S., M.Hum (Head of International Affairs Office). The group of visitors was welcomed by Dr. Zaki Rashidi (Director of Bahria Town Campus) along with the Corporate Liaison and International Lingkages staff and the Iqra University officials. After the meeting, the delegation followed a tour of Iqra University Campus where the delegation had a chance to visit the computer lab, Business Incubation Center, Fashion and Textile Design Lab, and Digital Content Creation Lab. Iqra University will be an academic partner of Universitas Sumatera Utara and can be involved in USU International Exchange Program.