Medan – The Faculty of Engineering, USU, participated in the International Geotechnical Seminar organized by the North Sumatra Regional Commission of the Indonesian Society of Geotechnical Engineers (HATTI) on October 15–16, 2026. The seminar, themed “Natural Disaster Mitigation and Rehabilitation: Geotechnical Challenges and Strategies for Sustainable Development in North Sumatra,” was held in a hybrid format at the JW Marriott Hotel Medan.

Representatives from the Faculty of Engineering, USU, included Ir. Ivan Indrawan, S.T., M.T. (Secretary of the Undergraduate Program in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, USU), and Civil Engineering lecturers, including Ir. Irwan Suranta Sembiring, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Dr. Ir. Nursyamsi, S.T., M.T., Ir. Titi Hayati, S.T., M.T., and Vreslisawati Sagala, S.T., M.Sc., who were involved as members of the organizing committee. The seminar series brought together experts and practitioners from Indonesia and several other countries to share perspectives on geotechnical development and disaster mitigation.

Discussions covered soil investigations, slope stability analysis, monitoring systems, landslide mitigation, and the rehabilitation of disaster-affected infrastructure. The forum brought together universities, professional associations, government institutions, and businesses to discuss engineering decisions that are safe, responsible, and sustainable.

Several of the main speakers at the event included:

• Sanjaya Rana – Managing Director of PARSAN (one of the main international speakers).

• Prof. Widjojo Adi Prakoso, M.Sc., Ph.D. – Chairperson of the HATTI Central Board and senior geotechnical expert.

• Ir. Syril Erwin Harahap, M.T., Ph.D. – Doctor of Geotechnical Engineering, academic, and HATTI North Sumatra practitioner.

• Adi Yesaya Sukatendel, S.T., M.T. – Professional practitioner and expert in structures and Building Information Modeling (BIM).

• Patar Ronny Liston Manurung, S.T., M.T. – Senior professional practitioner in road and bridge infrastructure.

As part of the event, HATTI North Sumatra also established collaborations with Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Negeri Medan, Universitas HKBP Nommensen, and Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia to advance geotechnical knowledge.

This activity primarily supports SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities by strengthening knowledge for safe and disaster-resilient infrastructure. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure is relevant through discussions on geotechnical technology and engineering, while SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals is reflected in cross-institutional collaboration.

The participation of the Faculty of Engineering, USU, expands opportunities for knowledge exchange between academics and practitioners in civil engineering. The knowledge and networks developed through this forum provide a foundation for supporting geotechnical advancement and more collaborative approaches to disaster mitigation.