MEDAN — The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, participated in the Academic Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with Legislative Members held on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Istanbul Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Madani Hotel, Medan. This forum served as a meeting space for bringing together the academic perspectives of higher education institutions and experience in public policy and legislative affairs.

The FGD featured Ir. H. Tifatul Sembiring and Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T., IPM., ASEAN Eng., a Professor at Universitas Sumatera Utara and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, as speakers. According to the invitation letter, the event took place from 09:00 to 12:00 WIB and was organized as part of a discussion program between academics and legislative members.

The presence of Prof. Renita Manurung as a speaker contributed an academic perspective to the discussions throughout the forum. The involvement of higher education institutions in such dialogues is important for presenting knowledge-based perspectives, scientific studies, and academic experience as part of an exchange of ideas on various issues related to society and development.

In addition to featuring speakers, the FGD also involved students from Universitas Sumatera Utara. From the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, the participants came from the Chemical Engineering Study Program, namely Ezra Aulia Rahma Siregar (230405102), Mhd. Arib Al Habib (230405003), and Meisy M (240405003). The event was also attended by students from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara.

The involvement of students from different faculties broadened the scope of the discussion while bringing diverse academic backgrounds to the forum. Interaction among participants provided an opportunity to examine issues from broader and multidisciplinary perspectives.

For students, participation in the FGD provided a learning experience outside the classroom. They had the opportunity to directly listen to perspectives shared by academics and legislative figures, understand the process of exchanging arguments, and observe how academic approaches can be applied to examining issues related to public policy and interests.

The forum also demonstrated the importance of relationships between academia and stakeholders in fostering constructive discussions. Higher education institutions play a role in providing scientific studies and perspectives, while dialogue with various elements of society and public institutions can enrich understanding of emerging needs and challenges.

In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this activity supports SDG 4 – Quality Education through the enhancement of students' learning experiences outside the classroom, SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through the development of dialogue spaces and academic participation, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals through interactions between higher education institutions and stakeholders.

Through the participation of lecturers and students in the forum, the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, continues to promote the development of a critical, open, and responsive academic culture toward societal issues. Participation in cross-sector dialogue spaces is expected to strengthen the contribution of higher education institutions to education, knowledge development, and the provision of scientific perspectives for development.