The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), and Energi Mega Persada (EMP) Gebang strengthened their synergy in implementing environmental conservation and community empowerment programs. The parties discussed the collaboration during a meeting at the Faculty of Forestry USU Meeting Room, USU Campus 2 Bekala, Deli Serdang, on Thursday (September 17, 2026).
The meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si.; Vice Dean III, Dr. Anita Zaitunah; Manager of Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Dr. Ridahati Rambey; lecturers; education personnel; and the Public Relations Team of the Faculty of Forestry USU. Representatives from EMP Gebang included Idham Fahmi, Luthfi Al. Fajar and Andi Widi, as well as representatives of the Faculty of Agriculture USU.
During the discussion, EMP Gebang presented four programs to be developed jointly, namely mangrove planting and environmental education, forest protection patrols, the EMP Unggul Maju program, and a community satisfaction index survey.
One of the main agendas is the planting of 5,000 mangrove seedlings of the Avicennia and Rhizophora species in the SCGD 01 area. The activity will involve local communities and farmer groups, with seedlings and stakes supported by Bubun Village. In addition to planting, the activity will include environmental education.
The forest protection program will also be implemented through patrols in the PPKH area of EMP Gebang Limited, in coordination with KPH I Stabat. Meanwhile, through the EMP Unggul Maju program, socialization and the symbolic handover of oil palm seedlings to the community in Pematang Cengal Village will be conducted alongside the community satisfaction index survey.
The meeting served as an initial step to prepare for the implementation of the programs while strengthening collaboration among higher education institutions, the business sector, and the community. Through this synergy, environmental programs are expected to be implemented in a participatory manner and provide tangible benefits for ecosystem conservation and surrounding communities.
The collaboration between the Faculty of Forestry USU and EMP Gebang is aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through mangrove planting, environmental education, and forest protection. The multi-stakeholder synergy developed through the collaboration also supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) as an important foundation for promoting sustainable development.