Strengthening cooperation between engineering faculties is an important step toward expanding opportunities for academic collaboration, research, and educational program development. Evaluating ongoing cooperation is also necessary to ensure that each initiative can be directed more measurably and remain relevant to the needs of both institutions.

The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FT USU), received a visit from the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sebelas Maret (FT UNS), on October 7, 2026. The meeting was attended by the Dean of FT USU, Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T.; Vice Dean for Education, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Rosdanelli Hasibuan, M.T.; and Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Zaid Perdana Nasution, S.T., M.T., Ph.D.

Representing FT UNS were the Dean of FT UNS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Wahyudi Sutopo, S.T., M.Si., IPU; Head of the Undergraduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Dr. Ir. Wakhid Ahmad Jauhari, S.T., M.T.; and two other representatives. The meeting provided an opportunity to evaluate the implementation of existing cooperation while discussing opportunities to strengthen programs in the next phase.

The discussions covered improving the quality of graduates at the Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral levels; developing the 3+1+1 scheme with international partners; optimizing the Indonesian Collaborative Research (RKI) program; and increasing Average Effective Enrollment (AEE) in the Master's and Doctoral Programs. These issues formed part of both faculties' efforts to strengthen the connections between education, research, and postgraduate program development.

Through this discussion, FT USU and FT UNS explored opportunities to strengthen the implementation of existing cooperation and identify further collaborative initiatives. Follow-up actions for each agenda will require additional technical discussions in accordance with the needs and mechanisms of both institutions.

This activity primarily supports SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals through strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions. SDG 4 – Quality Education is relevant through discussions on improving graduate quality and developing academic programs, while SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure relates to strengthening collaborative research. FT USU continues to promote cooperation that supports improvements in educational quality, research, and the development of academic networks.