The Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FKEP USU), strengthened the national character of its new students through Session I of the 2026 Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB), held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The session, delivered by Dr. Dudut Tanjung, S.Kp., M.Kep., Sp.KMB, carried the theme “Developing National Character, Global Leadership, and Civic Awareness in National and State Life, as well as Strengthening National Identity.” Students were encouraged to revisit Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as foundations for navigating academic life while fulfilling their roles as citizens.
In his presentation, Dr. Dudut emphasized that national values should not merely be understood theoretically but also reflected in students’ daily behavior. Faith and devotion, respect for diversity, cooperation, independence, critical thinking, creativity, and integrity are important characteristics that should be developed in higher education. As a microcosm of Indonesia, the university campus also provides FKEP USU students with a space to learn to live alongside people from diverse backgrounds, build tolerance, and avoid discrimination, intolerance, radicalism, and other ideologies that contradict national values.
Civic awareness was also presented as extending beyond physical defense to include students’ contributions in academic, social, humanitarian, cultural, and digital spaces. Students can contribute through academic achievements, beneficial research, community service, humanitarian activities, and responsible information dissemination. Digital literacy has become an important component of civic responsibility today, including the ability to verify sources, exercise restraint before sharing information, compare information from different sources, and report problematic content. These skills enable students to respond more effectively to hoaxes, hate speech, and polarization in the post-truth era.
The session aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Strengthening character education, literacy, critical thinking, leadership, and national awareness contributes to quality education that develops students as both lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. Meanwhile, fostering tolerance, nonviolence, respect for diversity, and a commitment to maintaining unity contributes to the development of peaceful and inclusive societies.
Through PKKMB 2026, new FKEP USU students are expected to grow not only into competent future healthcare professionals but also into individuals with integrity, a strong sense of national identity, and the capacity to make positive contributions to society, the nation, and sustainable development.