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> News > FEB USU Lecturer Shines at International Stage at The University of Auckland

FEB USU Lecturer Shines at International Stage at The University of Auckland

Published At

09 August 2025

Published By

Fenny Julistine Tarigan

FEB USU Lecturer Shines at International Stage at The University of Auckland
Thumbnail FEB USU Lecturer Shines at International Stage at The University of Auckland
FEB USU Lecturer Achieves Recognition at the International Three Minute Thesis Competition in New Zealand

Malinda Sari Sembiring, SE., M.Si., Cert.DA, CSRS, a lecturer and alumna of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FEB USU), has once again brought pride to her alma mater on the international stage. Currently pursuing her doctoral (PhD) studies in Accounting at The University of Auckland, New Zealand, with a full scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), Malinda continues to inspire through her achievements. She was previously accepted at Universiti Sains Malaysia but chose to continue her doctoral journey at New Zealand's top-ranked university, according to Times Higher Education 2025.

 

Her academic journey began at FEB USU, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Accounting (2010) and master's degree in Accounting Science (2016). Since graduating in 2014, Malinda has aspired to pursue studies abroad. She had even secured admission letters from three Australian universities — Queensland University of Technology, Macquarie University, and the University of Technology Sydney — but could not obtain a scholarship then, prompting her to pursue her master's degree at FEB USU while working. After completing her master's, she began her career as a lecturer in 2020.

 

Malinda started preparing for her doctoral studies in early 2020, facing greater challenges than she did during her master's journey. In addition to improving her English proficiency, she had to prepare a strong research proposal and establish communication with potential supervisors at her target universities. Her previous experience in 2015 proved invaluable, further strengthened by her participation in the FEB Future Development Program (2021–2023), which provided IELTS training, academic writing workshops, and scholarship mentoring. Her persistence paid off in 2023, when she received Letters of Acceptance from Universiti Sains Malaysia and The University of Auckland, alongside securing the LPDP scholarship under the non-LoA pathway.

 

Beyond her studies, Malinda actively hones her academic communication skills. On June 9, 2025, she participated in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Faculty Heat 2025 at the University of Auckland Business School, securing the First Runner-Up position. This success led her to the University of Auckland 3MT Finals 2025 on August 8, 2025, where she earned a spot as one of the Top 13 Finalists across the university. The competition challenges participants to deliver concise, clear, and engaging presentations of their doctoral research within three minutes, demonstrating mastery of their topic and exceptional public communication skills.

 

One of Malinda's keys to success is understanding her capacity and maximizing every opportunity. She holds firmly to the principle: "You need to be the main actor on your scene, or you will end up forever as a supporting role for anyone." As a lecturer and academic advisor to the dean, she acknowledges her limitations in multitasking and therefore plans her daily activities with discipline. For her, firm commitment and perseverance are essential — if you genuinely want something, there will always be a way, not an excuse. Preparing for overseas studies required significant time sacrifices; in 2023, she spent nearly every weekend completing university applications and scholarships.

 

To FEB USU students and alumni, Malinda advises preparing early for those aiming to study abroad. She emphasizes that applying for a scholarship and building a strong portfolio are two different processes. While scholarship applications may take several months, developing a solid academic and professional portfolio requires much more time. She also cautions against the "effortless" image often portrayed on social media, reminding that success is reserved for those who prepare thoroughly. In her view, discipline is the key: motivation may fluctuate, but discipline ensures continuous progress, even during low moments. This principle has guided her journey to securing the LPDP scholarship and pursuing her doctoral studies at one of the world's top universities.

 

With this achievement, Malinda not only raises the profile of FEB USU internationally but also inspires the academic community to continue striving for excellence and global competitiveness.

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