Medan – FKM USU: FKM USU officially handed over students participating in the Independent Internship Program of the Undergraduate Program in Public Health for the Odd Semester of the 2026/2027 Academic Year during an online meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. A total of 277 students will undertake internships at 74 government and private institutions under the supervision of 36 field supervisors. The program is part of the Learning Outside the Study Program (PLPS), which provides students with opportunities to directly apply their public health competencies in professional work settings. The event featured remarks from the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni of FKM USU, Sri Rahayu Sanusi, S.K.M., M.Kes., Ph.D. This was followed by a presentation on the implementation of the Independent Internship Program and the official handover of the students by the Head of the Undergraduate Program in Public Health at FKM USU, Dr. Sri Novita Lubis, S.K.M., M.Kes. A representative of the partner institutions, dr. Muhammad Emirsyah Harvian Harahap, M.K.M., from the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office, also delivered remarks during the event. Students were assigned to a wide range of partner institutions, including health offices, hospitals, ministries, government agencies, as well as companies and private institutions located both within North Sumatra and in other provinces. During the internship, students are expected to apply their knowledge of public health, analyze health-related problems, communicate effectively, and collaborate within professional environments. In addition to completing the mandatory internship outputs, students are also encouraged to produce high-quality outputs such as scientific publications, digital health dashboards or infographics, health education modules or videos, and innovative public health products. Through the Independent Internship Program, FKM USU seeks to strengthen the alignment between university learning and professional experience while expanding its network with various partner institutions. The program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being through strengthening the competencies of future public health professionals; SDG 4: Quality Education through experiential learning; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between FKM USU and various government and private institutions.