HUMAS FAHUTAN — The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), through the USU Bamboo Center of Excellence in Science and Technology (PUI Bambu USU), received a visit from PUI-PT Technoplast of Universitas Malikussaleh in the context of implementing academic and research collaboration, held at the Faculty of Forestry USU on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
The activity focused on benchmarking DIKTI-recognized Centers of Excellence and on a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on planning the organization of an international conference with Scopus-indexed publications. Through these sessions, both parties discussed strategies for managing scientific conferences, strengthening international networks, and exploring opportunities for research collaboration in the fields of material technology based on natural resources and recycled plastics.
During the discussion forum, the PUI-PT Technoplast team studied best practices implemented by PUI Bambu USU in managing conferences and international cooperation as part of the preparation for an activity entitled “PUI-PT Natural Polymer Technology and Recycled Plastics (PUI-PT Technoplast).” The discussion was interactive, with a focus on scientific publication governance, global partner management, and enhancing the impact of research on society and industry.
As an administrative reinforcement of the implementation of this cooperation, both institutions also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and an Implementation Arrangement (IA) as the formal basis for future collaboration.
The activity was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Prof. Dr. Ir. Rudi Hartono, S.Hut., M.Si., IPM., the Vice Dean III, Prof. Dr. Ir. Agus Purwoko, S.Hut., M.Si., the Head of PUI Bambu USU, Dr. Ir. Samsuri, S.Hut., M.Si., IPM., ASEAN Eng., the Secretary of PUI Bambu USU, Dr. Ir. Luthfi Hakim, S.Hut., M.Si., IPU., ASEAN Eng., the Scientific Committee of IC-BaFoRA, Prof. Dr. Apri Heri Iswanto, S.Hut., M.Si., the Publication Manager of LIPHKI USU, Sony Eka Nugraha, S.Farm., M.Si., Apt., the Dean’s expert staff, as well as faculty staff members of the Faculty of Forestry USU. From Universitas Malikussaleh, Dr. Zulnazri, S.Si., M.T., as Head of PUI-PT Technoplast, and Ahmad Fikri, S.Pd., M.T., as Head of the Research and Innovation Division, were present.
Through this collaboration, PUI Bambu USU and PUI-PT Technoplast Unimal reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting collaborative research, increasing the visibility of international publications, and developing sustainable technologies with broad impact.