The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with the Center of Excellence for Science and Technology (PUI) Mangrove USU, held an International Community Service activity at Pantai Mangrove Sejarah, Batu Bara Regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday (September 27, 2026). This activity was part of the Summer Course 2026 series and served as a form of community service through education and concrete actions to conserve mangrove ecosystems.
The activity was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry USU, Prof. Arida Susilowati, along with the Vice Deans; the Chairperson of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) USU, who also serves as the Head of PUI Mangrove USU, Prof. Mohammad Basyuni; lecturers from the Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Biology, and Faculty of Agriculture USU; as well as Summer Course 2026 participants.
The series of activities began with mangrove planting as a symbol of the shared commitment to maintaining the sustainability of coastal ecosystems. The action was then followed by the Opening Ceremony of the International Community Service, marking the commencement of international community service activities in the Pantai Mangrove Sejarah area.
On this occasion, the management of Pantai Sejarah Mangrove delivered remarks on the management and importance of mangrove areas for the environment and coastal communities. The activity continued with remarks from the Head of CoE for Mangroves, who emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in supporting the conservation and sustainable utilization of mangroves.
Going beyond ceremonial activities, participants were also invited to learn more about mangrove ecosystems through a group project in exploring mangroves. During this activity, participants worked in groups to explore various aspects of mangrove ecosystems while gaining firsthand learning experiences in the field.
The activity became more interactive through presentation sessions and the announcement of the group project winners. Recognition was given to groups that creatively presented their findings and ideas based on their experiences in the mangrove area.
Through this series of activities, Summer Course 2026 served not only as an academic learning platform but also as a meeting point for knowledge, field experience, and environmental awareness. Direct interaction with mangrove ecosystems gave participants the opportunity to understand that environmental conservation requires the involvement of various stakeholders, including academics, students, communities, and area managers.
This activity also strengthened the role of the Faculty of Forestry and PUI Mangrove USU in promoting education, research, and community service oriented toward sustainability. Cross-faculty collaboration and stakeholder engagement are important elements in building awareness and collective action to protect the coastal ecosystems of North Sumatra.
From the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this activity contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action through mangrove planting and education on mangrove ecosystems, which play an important role in climate change mitigation, as well as SDG 14: Life Below Water through efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and biodiversity. The academic collaboration and community service activities also align with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development.