The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) visited the Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands in Medan on Friday, July 10, 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand international partnerships. The meeting served as a strategic opportunity to discuss potential collaboration in education, research, community engagement, and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with partners in the Netherlands.
The Faculty of Forestry delegation was led by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Dr. Anita Zaitunah, an alumna of the University of Twente, the Netherlands. She was accompanied by Dr. Rosmalinda, a lecturer from the Faculty of Law, USU, and an alumna of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, as well as Dr. Ridahati Rambey, Head of the Forest Resources Conservation Laboratory at the Faculty of Forestry, USU.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Firsal Ferial Mutyara, the Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, who also serves as Chairman of the North Sumatra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and President Commissioner of PT Bank Sumut. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening international collaboration.
During discussions with Firsal Ferial Mutyara, affectionately known as Pak Dida, participants explored a number of collaborative initiatives involving the Faculty of Forestry, other faculties within USU, the Honorary Consulate of the Netherlands, and academic colleagues from several Dutch universities. These initiatives are intended to create impactful and sustainable programs that contribute to the advancement of higher education and society.
Key areas of discussion included environmental and forestry issues as responses to the challenges of global climate change, the development of cultural cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands, and the implementation of initiatives that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through this collaboration, the partners hope to create opportunities for joint research projects, internationally focused community engagement programs, academic exchanges, and various capacity-building initiatives that will benefit the academic community of Universitas Sumatera Utara and the wider public, particularly in North Sumatra.
This visit reflects the Faculty of Forestry's commitment to advancing internationalization through the development of strategic partnerships with global institutions. The collaboration is expected to foster sustainable partnerships that contribute meaningfully to the advancement of scientific knowledge, environmental conservation, and the enhancement of higher education quality.
The initiative also supports Universitas Sumatera Utara's commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) through collaboration on environmental and climate change initiatives, SDG 15 (Life on Land) through strengthened cooperation in forest conservation and sustainable forest resource management, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the development of international partnerships that promote education, research, and community engagement.