Pegadaian equips USU psychology students with knowledge on combating illegal loans
On Friday, September 18, 2026, the Faculty of Psychology at the University of North Sumatra (USU) gathered in a lecture hall. Hundreds of students filled the room that morning—not for an exam, but to arm themselves with a far more valuable weapon: financial literacy.
During the public lecture titled “Pegadaian Finance for All & the Dangers of Illegal Loans,” 200 USU psychology students were invited to explore the world of finance from a rarely highlighted perspective—focusing not just on numbers, but on the behavior and psychology behind financial decisions.
LATEST NEWS: Ministry of Manpower Trains 416 Workers in North Maluku
This activity is part of the Pegadaian Cares – National Financial Intelligence Movement (GENCARKAN) program, a national initiative aimed at improving financial literacy and inclusion among the public—particularly the younger generation, who are often easy targets for illegal online loans.
Two speakers from PT Pegadaian (Persero) Regional Office 1 Medan shared valuable insights. They were Heri Susianto, representative for the Medan 2 business area, who spoke about inclusive financial opportunities through the “Pegadaian Finance for All” program; and Manro Manrie Sipayung, an auditor from the BPKP-RI representative office in North Sumatra, who examined the dangers and methods of illegal online loans in depth from the perspective of state financial oversight.
Both were accompanied by Gopher Manurung, Branch Manager of CP Padang Bulan. The speakers were welcomed by the leadership of the USU Faculty of Psychology, including Prof. Dr. Vivi Gusrini Rahmadani, S.Psi., M.Sc., MA., Dean of the Faculty of Psychology; Tarmidi, S.Psi., M.Psi., Ph.D., psychologist and Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration, and Internationalization; and Fasti Rola, S.Psi., M.Psi., Head of the Psychology Bachelor’s Program.
LATEST NEWS: The Importance of Staff Competencies in Risk Management within the Micro-Banking Sector
PT Pegadaian (Persero) had good reason to choose the Faculty of Psychology as the venue for this event. Psychology students are trained to understand human behavior—and financial decisions are among the most complex.
From the fear of missing out (FOMO) and social pressure to the psychological pitfalls of online loans promising “instant solutions,” everything can be analyzed from a psychological perspective.
“With this insight, students are not only protected from the pitfalls of illegal online loans but also empowered to educate those around them,” said Heri Susianto, representative for the Medan 2 region, on behalf of the management of PT Pegadaian (Persero) Regional Office 1 Medan.
This public lecture emphasizes that financial literacy is not an option, but a necessity. In this fast-paced digital era, the ability to distinguish wise investment opportunities from the traps of illegal online loans is an essential survival skill. “Financial intelligence today, prosperity tomorrow,” he concluded. ***rel
Pegadaian Bekali Mahasiswa Fakultas Psikologi USU Ilmu Anti-Pinjol Ilegal
Fakultas Psikologi Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) pada hari Jumat, 18 September 2026, berkumpul di sebuah ruang kuliah. Pagi itu, ratusan mahasiswa memadati aula, bukan untuk ujian, melainkan untuk membekali diri dengan senjata yang jauh lebih berharga: literasi keuangan.
Melalui Kuliah Umum Pegadaian Finance for All & Bahaya Pinjol Ilegal, 200 mahasiswa/i Fakultas Psikologi USU diajak menyelami dunia finansial dari sudut pandang yang jarang tersentuh — bukan sekadar angka, tetapi juga perilaku dan psikologi di balik keputusan keuangan.
Kegiatan ini merupakan bagian dari Pegadaian Peduli — Program Gerakan Nasional Cerdas Keuangan (GENCARKAN), sebuah inisiatif nasional untuk meningkatkan literasi dan inklusi keuangan masyarakat, khususnya generasi muda yang kerap menjadi target empuk pinjaman online ilegal.
Dua pembicara hadir mewakili PT Pegadaian (Persero) Kanwil 1 Medan, membagikan wawasan berharga. Yakni Heri Susianto selaku Deputi Bisnis Area Medan 2, yang membahas peluang keuangan inklusif melalui Pegadaian Finance for All dan Manro Manrie Sipayung sebagai Auditor BPKP-RI Kantor Perwakilan Sumatera Utara, yang mengupas tuntas bahaya dan modus pinjol ilegal dari kacamata pengawasan keuangan negara. Keduanya didampingi oleh Gopher Manurung, Pemimpin Cabang CP Padang Bulan.
Kehadiran para narasumber disambut langsung oleh jajaran pimpinan Fakultas Psikologi USU, diantaranya Prof. Dr. Vivi Gusrini Rahmadani, S.Psi., M.Sc., MA. — Dekan Fakultas Psikologi USU; Tarmidi, S.Psi., M.Psi., Ph.D., Psikolog — Wakil Dekan bidang Penelitian, Pengabdian Masyarakat, Kerjasama, dan Internasionalisasi; dan Fasti Rola, S.Psi., M.Psi. — Kepala Program Studi Sarjana Psikologi.
Pilihan Fakultas Psikologi sebagai tuan rumah oleh PT Pegadaian (Persero), bukan tanpa alasan. Mahasiswa psikologi dilatih untuk memahami perilaku manusia — dan keputusan finansial adalah salah satu perilaku paling kompleks.
Mulai dari fear of missing out (FOMO), tekanan sosial, hingga jebakan psikologis pinjol yang menawarkan “solusi instan”, semuanya bisa dianalisis melalui lensa psikologi.
“Dengan pemahaman ini, mahasiswa tidak hanya terlindungi dari jeratan pinjol ilegal, tetapi juga mampu menjadi agen edukasi bagi lingkungan sekitarnya,” kata Heri Susianto selaku Deputi Bisnis Area Medan 2 mewakili Pimpinan PT Pegadaian (Persero) Kanwil 1 Medan.
Kuliah umum ini adalah pengingat bahwa melek finansial bukan pilihan, melainkan keharusan. Di era digital yang serba cepat, kemampuan membedakan peluang investasi yang sehat dari jebakan pinjol ilegal adalah keterampilan bertahan hidup. “Cerdas keuangan hari ini, sejahtera di masa depan,” sebutnya. ***
