The Rimba Raya Alliance of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), held a strategic and consolidative forum to strengthen the institutional transition process while finalizing preparations for the USU Forestry Student Congress. The activity took place on Friday, September 4, 2026, in the Eboni Room and Flamboyan Room, Faculty of Forestry, USU, Bekala Campus 2, Deli Serdang.
The forum was attended in person by the full leadership of the Faculty of Forestry, USU, including the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, USU, Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si., together with Vice Deans Dr. Tito Sucipto, S.Hut., M.Si., Dr. Luthfi Hakim, S.Hut., M.Si., and Dr. Anita Zaitunah, S.Hut., M.Sc. Also in attendance were the Head of the Undergraduate Program in Forestry, Dr. Evalina Herawati, S.Hut., M.Si., and the Secretary of the Undergraduate Program in Forestry, Dr. Deni Elfiati, S.P., M.P., as well as faculty members Dr. Nelly Anna and Ridahati Rambey.
The presence of the Faculty of Forestry leadership demonstrated the faculty’s active support for positive student activities, particularly initiatives that encourage participation, dialogue, leadership development, and stronger governance of student organizations. This support also forms part of the effort to create an academic environment that provides students with opportunities to learn about organizational management in a responsible and democratic manner.
The forum was also attended by Rimba Raya Alliance Chairperson M. Nur Salim, Alliance Secretary Josua Rivaldo Pandiangan, student organization leaders, the initiator team, and student representatives from the 2022 to 2026 cohorts.
During the forum, M. Nur Salim presented an update on the institutional transition process, including the completion of the Public Review of the Foundational Document (Book 1). The discussion also covered the dynamics and various challenges encountered throughout the transition process as a basis for joint evaluation toward more structured governance of student institutions.
The faculty leadership subsequently guided legal standing, student representation, organizational sovereignty, and faculty support in preparing for the USU Forestry Student Congress. One of the key agendas of the meeting was the signing of the Rimba Raya Alliance Decree concerning the structure of the elected Student Executive Board (BEM), involving student organization leaders, representatives from the 2022–2026 cohorts, and the Faculty of Forestry leadership.
The activity served as a forum for dialogue and consolidation to build a shared understanding of the direction of student institutional governance. This spirit is aligned with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through strengthening participatory and democratic governance, as well as SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration among various members of the academic community.
Through the support and collaboration that have been established, the process toward the USU Forestry Student Congress is expected to proceed in an orderly and transparent manner, emphasizing deliberation and shared responsibility in building strong and sustainable student institutions.