Participants included USU stakeholders such as Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si. (Global Partnership Manager), Dra. Lila Pelita Hati, M.Si. (Head of the Undergraduate History Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences), Dra. Junita Setiana Ginting, M.Si. (Secretary of the Study Program), Drs. Edi Sumarno, M.Hum. and Kiki Maulana Affandi, S.S., M.A. (both Symposium Committee Secretaries and lecturers in the History Program), as well as Mr. Edi Warta Surbakti, a representative from the Karo Foundation.
The meeting discussed the detailed plan for the symposium on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The event will explore the historical connections between the Aru Kingdom and the Karo people and civilization, including its ties with the Deli Kingdom. The forum also served as a platform to discuss strategies for preserving Karo's cultural heritage.
The Karo Foundation aspires to establish a formal partnership with USU to enhance cultural preservation through academic initiatives and community service.
Following the discussion, both parties agreed to follow up with concrete steps toward collaboration, particularly for the symposium and future cultural programs.
(Writer: Nayla Nazhifah Adam Harahap)