FIB USU PR - The History Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), hosted a guest lecture entitled "Ethnicity and Social Change in Contemporary Indonesia" on Monday, 13 July 2026, at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Meeting Room. The lecture featured Prof. Silvia Vignato of the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, as the keynote speaker, with Muhammad Rasyidin, M.A., serving as moderator.
The event was attended by Mhd. Pujiono, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, together with Dr. Zulfan, S.S., M.Hum., Vice Dean for Education, Student Affairs, and Alumni Relations; Ely Hayati Nasution, S.S., M.Si., CIT, Vice Dean for Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Academic Infrastructure; and Andi Pratama Lubis, S.S., M.Hum., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, as well as faculty members and students. Their participation reflected the Faculty's strong commitment to expanding academic perspectives through internationally oriented scholarly engagement.
The guest lecture aimed to broaden participants' understanding of the dynamics of ethnicity and social change in contemporary Indonesia through a global academic lens. Drawing on her extensive research experience, Prof. Vignato examined the ways in which ethnic identities, social interactions, and community structures have evolved amid globalization, social mobility, and Indonesia's rich cultural diversity.
In his welcoming remarks, Dean Mhd. Pujiono expressed his appreciation to the History Study Program for organizing the event and for inviting an internationally recognized scholar as part of FIB USU's ongoing efforts to strengthen the internationalization of higher education.
"This guest lecture provides an important opportunity to broaden the academic horizons of our faculty members and students through knowledge exchange with an international expert. We hope that initiatives like this will continue to strengthen our academic culture, enhance the quality of teaching and learning, and create greater opportunities for international collaboration in education and research," the Dean said.
During her presentation, Prof. Vignato shared insights from years of field research conducted across Indonesia. She discussed issues related to cultural diversity, interethnic relations, social transformation, and the challenges faced by Indonesian society in responding to rapid social and cultural change. Her lecture highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding Indonesia's multicultural society.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion in which lecturers and students explored contemporary social issues, cultural identity, and methodological approaches in historical and anthropological research. The interactive exchange of ideas provided participants with fresh perspectives and enriched their understanding of Indonesia's evolving social landscape.
The guest lecture reflects the History Study Program's commitment to delivering high-quality education through international academic collaboration. By facilitating dialogue between local scholars, students, and global experts, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences continues to strengthen academic capacity, promote a vibrant research culture, and expand collaborative partnerships with universities and researchers around the world.