Universitas Sumatera Utara

About

Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), located in Medan, Indonesia, is widely recognized for its academic excellence in agricultural sciences, medicine, engineering, and public health, making it a leading research institution in the western region of the country. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with several faculties providing English-taught classes and international tracks designed specifically to attract global scholars. Its dedicated International Office actively facilitates inbound student mobility, visa processing, and cultural orientation programs to help newcomers adjust to campus life. Distinctively, USU is deeply integrated into the culturally rich context of North Sumatra, offering students unique opportunities for field research involving tropical biodiversity, traditional medicine, and indigenous cultures. International students benefit from a supportive community, Indonesian language assistance, and various campus organizations that foster cross-cultural engagement throughout their studies.

Background

Universitas Sumatera Utara, commonly known as USU is a public university located in the city of Medan in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It is situated in Padang Bulan, in the Medan Baru subdistrict of Medan, close to the City Centre, with a total area of 122 hectares. Due to an increase in the number of students, a new campus is being constructed in Kwala Bekala, about 15 kilometers away from the original campus, on an area of about 300 hectares. The rectors of the university serve an eight-year renewable term. USU was established as a Foundation Universitet North Sumatera on June 4, 1952. Initially, the foundation provided only one department, which was the Faculty of Medicine, established on August 20, 1952, now commemorated as the anniversary of USU. The first President of Indonesia, Sukarno, inaugurated USU on November 20, 1957, as the seventh state university in Indonesia.

Location

Quick facts

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