MEDAN, September 20, 2026 | The Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) brought together the academic community and the mining industry through the “DPM Goes to Campus” program organized by PT Dairi Prima Mineral (DPM) on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Held at the Faculty of Engineering Auditorium, the event featured a public lecture delivered by several PT Dairi Prima Mineral experts, who shared their knowledge, professional experience, and insights into the company’s mining operations.
More than 200 students from various study programs within the Faculty of Engineering attended the event, including Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.
The participation of students from diverse engineering disciplines highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of the mining industry. Mining operations extend beyond the extraction process itself and require expertise in areas such as construction, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental management, occupational health and safety, mineral processing, and resource management.
Opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering
The event was officially opened by Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T. Also in attendance were Vice Dean for Education, Student Affairs and Alumni Affairs and Acting Head of the Mining Engineering Study Program, Prof. Dr. Ir. Rosdanelli Hasibuan, M.T.; Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Partnerships and Internationalization, Dr. Zaid Perdana, S.T., M.T., Ph.D.; Head of the Civil Engineering Study Program, Dr. Ir. Ika Puji Hastuty, S.T., M.T., IPM; and Secretary of the Mining Engineering Study Program, Edi Yasa Ardiansyah.
Several faculty members from the Mining Engineering Study Program also attended the event, including Dr. Ir. Munir Tanjung, M.M.; Dr. Adri Huda, S.Si.; Heri Adadhari, S.T., M.T.; and Ir. Gustam Lubis, S.T., M.T., Ph.D.
Representing PT Dairi Prima Mineral, the event was attended by Liang Shuang, External Relations Manager; Baiq Hidayani, Deputy Manager of External Relations; Widianto, Technical Manager; Betman Hutabarat, Mining Engineer; and Lavran W. Manik, Senior HSE Supervisor, along with other company staff.
The presence of faculty and study program leaders, faculty members, students, and industry experts created a productive forum for dialogue, bringing together academic perspectives and practical industry experience.
DPM Opens Dialogue with Students
In his remarks, Liang Shuang emphasized that the DPM Goes to Campus program was not intended simply to introduce the company to students and members of the academic community.
He said the event provided an opportunity for the company to engage in dialogue, exchange experiences, and hear perspectives from faculty members and students on the development and future of the mining industry in Indonesia, particularly in North Sumatra.
“This event is not simply about introducing the company. More importantly, it provides an opportunity for us to open a dialogue, exchange experiences, and hear perspectives from academics and students about the future of mining in Indonesia and, in particular, in North Sumatra,” said Liang Shuang.
The dialogue positioned students as important participants in discussions about the future of the mining industry. Beyond learning about industry activities, students had the opportunity to ask questions and share their views and academic perspectives on developments in the mining sector.
DPM Experts Share Industry Experience
During the public lecture, experts from PT Dairi Prima Mineral presented insights into the company’s mining activities and operations.
The presentations gave students an opportunity to understand how concepts and theories learned in the classroom are applied in professional mining environments.
The sessions also provided insights into the professional competencies required in the mining industry. Students gained a better understanding of industry challenges and the importance of technical expertise, occupational health and safety, environmental management, communication, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
For engineering students, direct interaction with industry professionals provided a valuable form of contextual learning that complemented their academic experience. For students from other study programs, the event also demonstrated how the mining industry functions as a multidisciplinary sector that draws on expertise from across the engineering fields.
Mining Engineering Students Take an Active Role
A key feature of the DPM Goes to Campus program was the active involvement of students from the Mining Engineering Study Program at the USU Faculty of Engineering in organizing the event.
The students were involved throughout the preparation and implementation process, including coordination, communication with the company and faculty, technical preparations, and event management.
This involvement provided students with valuable organizational and professional experience. They developed practical skills in communicating with industry representatives, managing an event attended by a large number of participants, and working collaboratively as a team.
Their role also strengthened learning beyond the classroom by providing opportunities to develop essential soft skills, including leadership, communication, teamwork, event management, and professional networking.
The event therefore did more than bring industry representatives to campus. It also provided students with an opportunity to serve as a bridge between the academic community and the professional world, strengthening their understanding of the relationship between higher education and the mining industry.
Introducing USU’s Mining Engineering Study Program to Industry
The event also featured a presentation on the Mining Engineering Study Program at USU, delivered by Edi Yasa Ardiansyah.
The presentation introduced the engineering study programs at the USU Faculty of Engineering to representatives of PT Dairi Prima Mineral, with particular emphasis on the Mining Engineering Study Program, which is relatively new within the Faculty of Engineering.
The presentation covered the program’s profile, academic development direction, and role in preparing qualified human resources for the mining industry.
Introducing the study program to industry represents an important step in building communication and professional networks between academia and industry. This relationship is expected to develop into collaborative initiatives that benefit students, faculty members, the study program, and the company.
Moving Toward More Concrete Collaboration
The DPM Goes to Campus program also marked an initial step toward strengthening the collaboration between PT Dairi Prima Mineral and the USU Faculty of Engineering.
Both parties expressed interest in continuing discussions and exploring potential forms of cooperation related to higher education and the mining industry.
Future collaboration could include industry-led lectures, student internships, competency development, research and development, final-year projects, seminars, human resource development, and other academic activities, subject to the needs and mutual agreement of both parties.
For the university, industry engagement can help strengthen the relevance of academic education to the needs of the professional world. For the company, collaboration with higher education institutions provides an opportunity to contribute to human resource development and the growth of the mining education ecosystem in North Sumatra.
Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals
The DPM Goes to Campus program also aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to education, employment, innovation, and partnerships.
From an educational perspective, the program supports SDG 4: Quality Education by providing students with opportunities for experiential learning and greater exposure to how knowledge and technology are applied in professional environments.
The active involvement of students in organizing the event also contributes to the development of transferable skills, including leadership, communication, teamwork, collaboration, and event management. These competencies are valuable in preparing students for professional careers.
The program is also relevant to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, particularly through efforts to strengthen students’ readiness for the workforce. Direct interaction with industry professionals allows students to gain a clearer understanding of the competencies and professional expectations associated with careers in the mining sector.
In terms of industrial and knowledge development, the initiative relates to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Knowledge exchange between higher education and industry can create opportunities for innovation, technical capacity building, and collaboration in addressing challenges facing the mining sector.
The partnership dimension is particularly reflected in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The intention to explore further collaboration between the USU Faculty of Engineering and PT Dairi Prima Mineral represents an effort to establish a more sustained relationship between higher education and industry.
The program may also contribute to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, particularly if future collaboration addresses resource efficiency, environmental management, occupational safety, and responsible mining practices.
Building the Future of Mining in North Sumatra
DPM Goes to Campus was more than a public lecture. It provided a platform for students, academics, and industry professionals to engage in dialogue and develop a shared understanding of the future of the mining sector.
For the relatively new Mining Engineering Study Program at the USU Faculty of Engineering, engagement with industry represents an important opportunity to strengthen its academic identity while expanding professional networks and industry connections.
The active role of Mining Engineering students in organizing the event also demonstrated how students can contribute directly to strengthening relationships between higher education and industry. The experience provided them with an understanding that a career in mining requires not only technical expertise, but also communication, leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and an awareness of sustainable development principles.
With a shared commitment to collaboration, the DPM Goes to Campus program is expected to serve as an initial step toward more concrete cooperation between PT Dairi Prima Mineral and the USU Faculty of Engineering, while creating opportunities to advance education, research, innovation, and human resource development in the mining sector in North Sumatra.
Ultimately, stronger engagement between higher education and industry can contribute to developing mining professionals who are technically capable, adaptable, collaborative, and equipped with an understanding of sustainable development.