The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, is strengthening international cooperation through a collaboration between the Civil Engineering Study Program and the Vocational and Technical College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China, to organize a workshop in the field of building construction. The series of activities is scheduled to take place from November 2 to December 3, 2026, and is designed to involve 41 Civil Engineering students.
As part of the initial series of activities, a delegation of instructors from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University visited and held an audience at Universitas Sumatera Utara. The delegation was received by Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T. (Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation of Universitas Sumatera Utara). Also present were Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T. (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara); Zaid Perdana Nasution, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization); Dr. Ir. Ika Puji Hastuty, S.T., M.T., IPM. (Head of the Undergraduate Program in Civil Engineering); and Ir. Ivan Indrawan, S.T., M.T. (Secretary of the Undergraduate Program in Civil Engineering), along with relevant university officials.
The meeting brought together the need to develop student competencies and opportunities to exchange experiences with overseas partners. Through inter-institutional communication, Universitas Sumatera Utara and IMTCC established a foundation for educational activities that are not only oriented toward mastering theory but also provide practical experience and international perspectives.
The workshop is designed using a hands-on learning approach, allowing students to understand construction work processes through direct practice. The planned materials include stair reinforcement installation, formwork, and foundation construction. Instructors from IMTCC will deliver the materials and provide technical guidance, while lecturers from the Undergraduate Program in Civil Engineering will assist with the learning process from an academic perspective.
The involvement of 41 students provides opportunities to improve technical skills, precision, understanding of structural work stages, and the ability to adapt to different learning approaches. Interaction with international instructors is also expected to broaden students' insights into construction practices and encourage them to view developments in the field of civil engineering from a global perspective.
Through this activity, students are expected to gain direct experience of construction work stages while becoming familiar with the learning approaches of international partners. Such interactions can broaden their perspectives, strengthen their technical skills, and improve their readiness to face developments in the construction sector.
This activity primarily supports SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals through strengthening international academic collaboration. SDG 4 – Quality Education and SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure are also relevant through the development of practical learning and construction engineering competencies. The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, continues to promote education, collaboration, and innovation that broaden learning experiences and enhance student competitiveness.
Through cooperation with Inner Mongolia Technical College of Construction, the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, continues to promote education that is practical, collaborative, and internationally oriented. This synergy is expected to develop into sustainable cooperation in education, training, knowledge exchange, and competency development, supporting the emergence of Civil Engineering graduates who are adaptive and globally competitive.