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Indonesian Goes Global: North Sumatra Language Center Hosts BIPA Program Strengthening at Universitas Prima Indonesia

Author: Datok Yan Djuna, Marketing Communications

UNPRI, Medan — The North Sumatra Provincial Language Center reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the role of the Indonesian language as a language of global diplomacy through a public outreach activity for the Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) program, held on the 19th floor of Universitas Prima Indonesia (UNPRI), Jl. Sampul No. 3, Medan, on Thursday (23/10/2025). The event, which ran from morning to afternoon, was attended by 56 participants from various higher-education institutions, language institutions, and strategic agencies across North Sumatra.

The Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Language Center, Dr. Asrif, M.Hum., in his remarks expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Rector of UNPRI, Prof. Dr. Chrismis Novalinda Ginting, M.Kes., AIFO-K., for the ongoing support and collaboration. “Bahasa Indonesia is the unifying language of Indonesia’s 718 ethnic groups. Today we can be proud that Indonesian has officially become a language of world diplomacy through UNESCO. But our work is not done; that pride must be nurtured at home so that Indonesians love their own language,” Dr. Asrif emphasized as he opened the event.

Representatives from various institutions attended, including UNPRI, UIN Sumut, UNIMED Language Center, UMSU BIPA, UMN, UISU, UNIVA, Potensi Utama, Schools under the Cooperation Education Unit (formerly International Schools), APPBIPA North Sumatra, POLMED, the North Sumatra National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol), the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) North Sumatra, Alliance Française Medan, Universitas Dharmawangsa, and the Honorary Consul of Timor-Leste in North Sumatra, Irawan. The event was also attended by the Head of the General Subdivision of BBPSU, Novi Kristanto, S.H.; the Head of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, North Sumatra Representative Office, Herdensi, S.Sos.; the Team Leader of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), Infranti Eko Suryanto; the Head of the Division for Ideology Development, National Insight and National Character, Muhammad Andry, S.SSTP, M.Si., representing the Head of the National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol); as well as the Head of the Development Working Team of the North Sumatra Provincial Language Center, Juliana, M.Si. Joining online was Rizky Akbar, S.Pd., MTESOL from the BIPA Working Team of the Center for Language and Literature Empowerment, Language Development and Fostering Agency, Jakarta.

Medtolia Jurlianti, commonly known as Metty, as the chief organizer and person in charge, reported and explained that this BIPA program outreach for universities and international schools in North Sumatra, held at UNPRI, is part of the Language Center’s annual series, which previously included a BIPA technical training also at UNPRI last June. Besides supporting the internationalization of Indonesian in academia and cultural diplomacy, it also aims to enable the institutions present today to understand, manage, and actively participate in developing Indonesian language teaching for foreign speakers. “BIPA is a gateway for Indonesia’s language and cultural diplomacy in the eyes of the world. Through this activity, we strengthen synergy between campuses and language institutions so that BIPA can further grow in North Sumatra,” said Metty.

Meanwhile, the Dean of UNPRI’s Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Dr. Dian Syahfitri, S.S., M.Hum., who also serves as a North Sumatra Language Ambassador, expressed pride that UNPRI was entrusted to host this prestigious event. “We are very pleased and grateful to the Language Center. May this activity continue and bring new momentum to the world of education in making Bahasa Indonesia an outstanding and global identity of the nation,” said Dr. Dian as she presented tokens of appreciation to the speakers. (Yd).

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