13 June 2025
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This event was opened by Prof. Dr. Apt. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, M.Si, Vice Rector for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at USU, and attended by the Dean of the USU Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, M.A, the Head of the Indonesian Literature Study Program, Prof. Dr. Dwi Widayati, M. Hum, the Head of the Office of International Affairs (KUI), Prof. Dr. Rudy Sofyan, S.S., M.Hum, and Way Yantono Saing from the Directorate of Education Development, along with several KUI staff members part of the USU KNB Management Team. Representatives from the Directorate of Institutional Affairs (Ditbaga) DIKTI present were Aa Sodikin, Agustinus Hadi Nugroho, Risma Sari, Armaeni, and Ita Tri Mujiati.
The USU KNB Management Team presented a report on the program's implementation and a detailed account of the funds received. Generally, the aid funds have been used as intended, but several important notes were identified that require follow-up to improve the program's management effectiveness.
One of the main topics raised was the obstacles arising from the temporary issuance of Student Identification Numbers (NIM) to KNB students. This has led to delays in fund transfers, especially for the Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program.
"Perhaps in the future, through the Directorate of Education Development, we can create a special NIM for the BIPA program, separate from the study program NIM, so that the administrative process runs smoothly," said Professor Rudy.
This forum also emphasized the importance of developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for BIPA financial management as a commitment to transparency and accountability. In addition, insurance was a major point of concern. Discrepancies in premium rates among students were found, influenced by age and other variables. The Ditbaga suggested an internal meeting to review the suitability of the insurance vendor and consider collaboration with new service providers, such as Takaful.
From the academic side, the Head of the Indonesian Language Study Program, Prof. Dr. Dwi Widayati, M.Hum., reported that KNB students showed significant progress in oral communication skills. The BIPA program also ran smoothly, with language practice activities carried out on schedule. However, it was also conveyed that there is a need to develop BIPA's institutional status into an independent unit to be structurally stronger.
"It would be better for USU BIPA to be developed into an independent unit so that it has a stronger and more formal institutional status," said Aa Sodikin.
In the middle of the session, five USU KNB scholarship students attended the forum and shared their challenges in learning Indonesian, as well as financial constraints and finding accommodation after leaving the dormitory. Responding to this, DitBaga provided clarification regarding the fund disbursement mechanism and the differences in disbursement times between universities in Indonesia.
As a follow-up, USU is pushing for the creation of a definite and systematic living allowance disbursement schedule, and strengthening student assistance for administrative matters, including managing population documents at Disdukcapil. Students were also offered the opportunity to participate in productive programs during holidays, such as summer courses, international KKN (Community Service Program), and visits to elementary schools as a means of practicing Indonesian.
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The event concluded with a screening of learning documentation, serving as both a visual report and an activity evaluation. USU hopes this evaluation will form the foundation for strengthening KNB scholarship management sustainably, ultimately making USU a welcoming campus that supports the development of international students.
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