DITMAWALUMNI USU – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), through the Directorate of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations (Ditmawalumni), held the ILCAP (Industry Linkage & Career Acceleration Program) Preparation Course for Higher Education and Scholarship Opportunities under the theme “Preparing Your Next Step: Strategies for Further Study and Securing Scholarships” on Thursday (September 3, 2026).

Carrying the theme “Preparing Your Next Step: Strategies for Further Study and Securing Scholarships,” the program was aimed at final-year students and USU alumni as an effort to equip them with information and insights into opportunities for further study and various scholarship programs.

The program was officially opened by the Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations (Ditmawalumni) of USU, Prof. Dr. Agus Purwoko, S.Hut., M.Hut., IPU. In his remarks, he expressed support for the development of students and alumni in preparing for their next educational steps, particularly by taking advantage of opportunities for further study and scholarships.

The program featured four speakers with experience and expertise in further education, scholarships, and talent development. They were Dr. Ajeng Arum Sari, Director of the Directorate of Talent Management at USU; Adrian Hilman, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., a USU lecturer and recipient of the MEXT scholarship through the University-to-University (U to U) program at Hiroshima University for the 2022–2025 period; Siti Suci Larasati, S.KM., M.Sc., CEO of Aksata Pangan and a USU alumna; and Aravi Zalsa Ramadhan, S.T., a recipient of the PMDSU (Master’s to Doctoral Education for Outstanding Bachelor’s Graduates) scholarship through the S2–S3 fast-track program.

The four speakers provided participants with diverse perspectives, ranging from information on scholarship opportunities, strategies for preparing for further study, experiences as scholarship recipients, to opportunities for educational advancement and talent development.

In the first session, participants received information on scholarship opportunities, requirements, and selection processes. The second session discussed strategies and practical tips for preparing for further study. Participants then received information on domestic study and scholarship opportunities, as well as opportunities for pursuing further education and scholarships abroad. Each session included presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Participants’ enthusiasm was evident from the active discussions and question-and-answer sessions. Various questions were raised regarding document preparation, strategies for navigating scholarship selection processes, experiences of obtaining scholarships, and options for further study both domestically and internationally.

Through this program, USU students and alumni are expected to gain a more comprehensive understanding of opportunities for further study and scholarships while being better prepared to face the application and selection processes. This is in line with the objectives of ILCAP to enhance the readiness and motivation of USU students and alumni to pursue further education.

The program was held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) via Zoom Meeting and was attended by final-year students and USU alumni interested in pursuing further study or applying for scholarship programs.