Medan, October 7, 2026 – The Faculty of Engineering USU, together with the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK RI), Directorate of State Financial Audit Management VII, held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) entitled “Academic Perspectives on Renewable Energy Development Policies and Their Implications for National Energy Security Audit Strategies” in the Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of FT USU.

The FGD featured Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T. (Dean of FT USU) and Prof. Dr. Ir. Tulus Burhanuddin Sitorus, S.T., M.T., IPM. as speakers. The event was also attended by FT USU leaders, namely Prof. Dr. Ir. Rosdanelli Hasibuan, M.T. (Vice Dean for Education, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs); Ir. Muhammad Agung Putra Handana, S.T., M.T. (Vice Dean for Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Academic Infrastructure); and Zaid Perdana Nasution, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization).

Also in attendance were Prof. Dr. Ir. Ilmi, M.Sc.; Prof. Dr. Ir. Taslim, M.Si., IPM.; Dr. Ir. Bambang Trisakti, M.Si.; Dr. Eng. Ir. Taufiq Bin Nur, S.T., M.Eng.Sc.; managers within the Faculty of Engineering USU; and 13 representatives of the Directorate of State Financial Audit Management VII, Directorate General of State Financial Audit VII.

The FGD aimed to establish alignment between academics and stakeholders in promoting the downstreaming of research results in the field of new and renewable energy. Through this forum, innovations generated by research activities are expected not to remain solely at the stage of technological development or academic findings but to progress toward practical applications that benefit society and industry.

Accordingly, the FGD is expected to serve as a platform for strengthening collaboration among academics, government, industry, and other stakeholders in developing an integrated and applicable research and innovation ecosystem for new and renewable energy that is oriented toward industrial needs and national policies.

The FGD is directly related to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy through discussions on renewable energy policies and national energy security. SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions is relevant through strengthening research-based auditing approaches, while SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals is reflected in the collaboration between FT USU and BPK RI.

Through its academic contributions to this inter-institutional forum, FT USU supports the development of evidence-based policies and audit strategies. This involvement also reaffirms the role of higher education institutions in providing technical knowledge and scientific studies to strengthen governance in the national energy sector.