The organization aims to contribute to society by providing weaving training, natural fiber research, natural dyes from waste, and new motifs in songket production that are innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful. This is relevant to a part of USU's jargon called TALENTA which is Local Wisdom and Art. The organization is meant to support global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Green Economy. He further expressed his gratitude to the Vice Rector III of USU for consistently supporting CSS activities and also the speakers in this FGD.
HUMAS FIB USU - [Repost from USU Research Institute] The Center for Songket Studies (CSS) of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the theme of tracing the history of songket which was held at the USU Research Institute Auditorium on December 21, 2023. The event was attended by USU Vice Rector III, members of the Songket Study Center, Seripeduka Sultan Deli XIV Tuanku Sultan Mahmud Lamantjiji Perkasa Alam, USU Professors, Academics, historians, cultural practitioners, and the North Sumatra Regional Craft Council. The activity began with a report from the Chairperson of CSS, Dr. T. Syarfina, M.Hum. She stated that the organization aims to contribute to the community by providing weaving training, natural fiber research, natural dyes from waste, and new motifs in songket production that are innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful. This is relevant to a part of USU's jargon called TALENTA which is Local Wisdom and the Arts. The organization is meant to support global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Green Economy. Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude to the Vice Rector III of USU for consistently supporting CSS activities and also the speakers in this FGD.
In her speech, Vice Rector III of USU, Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan S.Si., M.Si., Apt, appreciated this activity and hoped that it could make a real contribution to society by practically improving the economy of songket crafters in North Sumatra and conducting research and innovation in songket production. Prof. Poppy also added that the output in the form of scientific articles must be available so that information related to songket can be recognized globally and also support USU's achievements.
This FGD activity was moderated by M. Aziz Rizky Lubis, M.A. (USU History Lecturer) and presented speakers or provocateurs, namely Seripeduka Sultan Deli XIV Tuanku Sultan Mahmud Lamantjiji Perkasa Alam, and Prof. T. Silvana Sinar, M.A., Ph. D. In his presentation, Tuanku Sultan Deli XIV emphasized the importance of collaboration between various parties such as academics, stakeholders, and influencers to popularize songket. "We hope that one day Songket can appear on the world stage, and this requires strong efforts and collaboration. I am proud that USU initiated this," concluded Tuanku Aji. On the other hand, as a Malay academic and intellectual, Prof. T. Silvana Sinar highlighted the need to develop new motifs that can give new meaning and attract people to wear them. "New motifs with new raw materials need to be sought to be more attractive to the public," said Prof. Tina. The event ended with presenting conclusions and recommendations from the FGD and ended with a group photo."
