The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) hosted representatives from Perum Jasa Tirta I at the Faculty's Simalingkar B Campus in Deli Serdang on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. The meeting continued discussions on a proposed collaboration to establish a plant tissue culture laboratory and develop a modern nursery aimed at producing high-quality seedlings for environmental rehabilitation initiatives.

Representing Perum Jasa Tirta I were Gede Santika, Sandika Tri Prasetyo, Shony Heriyono, and M. Abdullah. The Faculty of Forestry USU was represented by Dean Prof. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization Dr. Anita Zaitunah, S.Hut., M.Sc., and Dean's Expert Staff for Cooperation Dr. Nelly Anna, S.Hut., M.Si.

During the discussion, Gede Santika highlighted that establishing a tissue culture laboratory would be a strategic step toward meeting the growing demand for high-quality planting materials in large quantities to support environmental rehabilitation programs. In response, Prof. Arida Susilowati provided recommendations on selecting practical and efficient equipment and materials to ensure the successful propagation of plants through tissue culture technology.

Through this partnership, the Faculty of Forestry USU will serve as an academic partner by providing scientific expertise, technical assistance, and capacity-building support. Seedlings produced through tissue culture techniques will subsequently be cultivated in the nursery before being distributed to local communities to support reforestation, land rehabilitation, and natural resource conservation initiatives.

This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening long-term partnerships between higher education institutions and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to advance innovative plant propagation technologies while generating environmental, social, and economic benefits for society.

The initiative also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the advancement of tissue culture technology, SDG 15 (Life on Land) by producing superior seedlings for ecosystem restoration and land rehabilitation, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through strategic collaboration between academia and state-owned enterprises in promoting sustainable development.