The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), strengthened its international collaboration network through the signing of an Implementation Agreement for an International-Scale Community Service Program with the University of the Philippines Tacloban. The cooperation document was signed on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Faculty of Forestry USU, USU Bekala Campus, Simalingkar A, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra.

The agreement serves as the foundation for cooperation between the University of the Philippines Tacloban and the Faculty of Forestry USU in developing international-scale community service programs. This collaboration also represents a strategic step toward expanding academic networks and strengthening the contributions of both institutions through cross-border cooperation.

The agreement was signed by Maria Elisa Gerona-Daga, acting for and on behalf of the University of the Philippines Tacloban, Philippines, and Prof. Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, USU, acting for and on behalf of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Through this document, both parties agreed to implement the collaboration as stipulated in the Implementation Agreement. The cooperation is specifically directed toward international-scale community service programs, creating opportunities for both institutions to develop activities that draw on the knowledge, experience, and academic resources of both countries.

For the Faculty of Forestry USU, the signing represents part of its efforts to strengthen the role of higher education institutions in delivering broader academic benefits. Community service is not only a means of applying the outcomes of education and research but also an avenue for developing joint solutions to various social and environmental issues through collaborative approaches.

Meanwhile, the involvement of the University of the Philippines Tacloban adds an international dimension that further enriches the scope of cooperation. The engagement between the two institutions from Indonesia and the Philippines is expected to open opportunities for exchanging experiences and developing community service programs that respond to community needs and the environmental characteristics of their respective regions.

With the cooperation document serving as the foundation for implementation, both institutions have a basis for developing joint programs that not only strengthen institutional relations but also provide lecturers and students with opportunities to gain experience in cross-border community service activities.

The signing of the agreement also reaffirms the commitment of the Faculty of Forestry USU to continuously expanding its international partnerships and enhancing its academic contributions to sustainable development. Cross-border collaboration is expected to develop into various tangible initiatives that benefit communities while strengthening the role of higher education institutions as development partners.

The collaboration between the Faculty of Forestry USU and the University of the Philippines Tacloban aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through strengthening partnerships across institutions and countries. This cooperation also supports SDG 4: Quality Education through the exchange of academic knowledge and experience, and has the potential to contribute to SDG 15: Life on Land through the development of community service programs related to forestry, the environment, and sustainable natural resource management.