The Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), received a visit from the Directorate of Innovation, Sustainable Development, and Science and Technology Areas (IPBKST) of USU as part of a socialization and mentoring session on funding schemes offered by the Directorate General of Research and Development (Ditjen Risbang), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), and the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The event was held at the Faculty of Forestry USU Meeting Room, USU Campus 2 Bekala, Deli Serdang. The delegation included the Director of the Directorate of Innovation, Sustainable Development, and Science and Technology Areas, Prof. Dr. Ir. Noverita Sprinse Vinolina, M.P.; Director's Secretary, Prof. Dr. Apri Heri Iswanto, S.Hut., M.Si.; as well as managers and staff of the directorate. The Faculty of Forestry was represented by Dr. Anita Zaitunah and several faculty members.
During the event, Innovation and Incubation Manager Imam Bagus Sumantri, S.Farm., M.Si., presented a session entitled “Transforming Research Outcomes into Globally Impactful Innovations and Economic Value.” The presentation covered research funding opportunities, applied research development, patents, product commercialization, reputable publications, and collaboration with industry and international partners.
The presentation also included a mapping of research outcomes and research commercialization directions at the Faculty of Forestry USU for the 2020–2025 period. The mapping aimed to identify research with potential for further development into value-added innovations that can generate tangible benefits for society.
Meanwhile, Manager of Sustainable Development and Science and Technology Areas Dr. Rahmi Meilina Sari, S.T., M.T., delivered a presentation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She emphasized the important role of higher education institutions in developing research-based solutions to address global challenges, including climate change, poverty, social inequality, and environmental degradation.
The visit served as an opportunity for the Faculty of Forestry USU to strengthen the utilization of research outcomes, expand access to funding opportunities, and promote sustainable research commercialization and innovation.
These efforts align with SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the strengthening of research capacity, innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.