Medan, December 21, 2023

The Centre for Songket Studies (CSS) of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the theme of exploring the history of songket, held at the USU Research Institute Auditorium on December 21, 2023. Thie event were attended by the Vice Rector III of USU, the members of The Centre for Songket Studies, Seripeduka Sultan Deli XIV Tuanku Sultan Mahmud Lamantjiji Perkasa Alam, USU Professors, Academicians, 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 this organization aims to contribute to society by providing weaving training, research on natural fibers, natural dyes from waste, and new motifs in the innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful production of songket. This is relevant to the part jargon of USU called as TALENTA namely Local wisdom and Arts. This organization is intended to support global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Economy. She further expressed gratitude to the Vice Rector III of USU for consistently supporting the activities of CSS and also the speakers in this FGD.

Vice Rector III of USU, Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan S.Si., M.Si., Apt, in her address, appreciated this activity and hoped that it would make a tangible contribution to the community by practically helping to improve the economy of songket artisans in North Sumatra and conducting research and innovation in songket production. Prof. Poppy also added that the output in the form of scientific articles should be available so that information related to songket can be known globally and also support USU's achievements.

This FGD activity was moderated by M. Aziz Rizky Lubis, M.A. (Lecturer of History at USU) and featured 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 among various parties such as academicians, stakeholders, and influencers to make songket popular. "We hope that someday Songket can appear on the world stage, and this requires strong efforts and collaboration. I am proud that USU is initiating this," concluded Tuanku Aji. On the other hand, as an academic and Malay intellectual, Prof. T. Silvana Sinar highlighted the need for the development of new motifs that can provide new meaning and attract the public to wear them. "New motifs using new raw materials need to be sought to make it more appealing to the public," Prof. Tina mentioned. The event concluded with the presentation of conclusions and recommendations from the FGD results and ended with a group photo."