The Master's Program in Management at the Postgraduate School, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), has begun exploring the development of a Double Degree Program in partnership with the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Malaysia. This initial discussion marks a strategic effort to strengthen the internationalization of higher education while expanding opportunities for students to gain global learning experiences.
The proposed Double Degree Program is designed so that students complete their first two semesters at the USU Master's Program in Management before undertaking MBA coursework at Universiti Kuala Lumpur in the following semester. The program also includes joint thesis supervision and a joint thesis examination. Upon successfully fulfilling the academic requirements of both institutions, students will be awarded two degrees: a Master of Management (MM) from Universitas Sumatera Utara and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Universiti Kuala Lumpur.
This collaboration aligns with the vision of the USU Master's Program in Management to produce innovative, globally competitive managers with social impact. In addition to expanding international student mobility, both institutions will align their curricula, establish a credit transfer system, invite international guest lecturers, and implement case-based and project-based learning to strengthen graduates' competencies.
The partnership also supports the Program's mission of producing innovative and professional graduates through high-quality business management education while expanding collaboration in research, international publications, community engagement, and visiting professor programs. As a result, students will benefit from an academic experience that is not only nationally recognized but also aligned with the demands of the global business environment.
As a follow-up, both institutions will establish a Joint Academic Working Group, conduct curriculum mapping, develop quality assurance mechanisms, and prepare for the implementation of the Double Degree Program, which is targeted to commence in the 2026/2027 Academic Year. This initiative reflects the USU Master's Program in Management's commitment to delivering high-quality education that prepares globally competitive graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to society.