MEDAN — On October 27, 2026, the Faculty of Engineering USU held a send-off ceremony for students participating in the FT USU Student Community Service Program. The event was part of the series of student community service activities and marked the students' readiness to engage in activities that connect the learning process in higher education with contributions to the community.

The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Ir. Renita Manurung, M.T. (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering USU); Prof. Dr. Ir. Rosdanelli Hasibuan, M.T. (Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs); Reisya Ichwani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Manager of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs); Prof. Dr. Ir. Halimatuddahliana, S.T., M.Sc. (Secretary of the Undergraduate Program in Chemical Engineering); Dr. Eng. Hafizhul Khair A. M., S.T., M.T.; Dr. Eng. Ir. Taufiq Bin Nur, S.T., M.Eng.Sc.; Ir. Titi Hayati, S.T., M.T.; Meidina Zulfa Hanie, S.T., M.T.; and Ir. Sri Zahrani Dwi Mauliyah Parinduri, S.T., M.T.

During the send-off ceremony, students received guidance before beginning their community service activities. This occasion served as an important reminder of the students' responsibilities as members of the FT USU academic community when interacting with the public and applying the knowledge they have acquired throughout their education.

Student community service serves as a form of contextual learning that allows students to gain a more direct understanding of issues in the field. Through this involvement, students are expected to develop their communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and awareness of community needs.

The community service program will be carried out in Kenangan Urban Village, Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency, involving two main partners: KSM TPS 3R Mandala and the Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK) of Kenangan Urban Village. The activities are aimed at reducing waste residue through plastic and organic waste processing, encouraging waste sorting at the source, and strengthening community-based waste management through community empowerment and circular economy principles.

Field activities are planned to run for eight weeks, beginning on October 27, 2026. Throughout the program, students will work directly with community members and partners according to schedules and task assignments arranged to ensure that the activities remain aligned with their academic commitments. The program is targeted to complete its field assistance activities in December 2026, followed by monitoring, evaluation, and report preparation as part of the recognition of student activities.

The program involves 21 students from four study programs: Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The participants consist of 8 Chemical Engineering students, 7 Environmental Engineering students, 4 Civil Engineering students, and 2 Mechanical Engineering students. Students will contribute according to their respective fields of knowledge while gaining interdisciplinary experience through direct interaction and problem-solving within the community.

The student send-off also serves as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of upholding the institution's reputation throughout the program. Students are expected to demonstrate discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and effective communication with the various parties they encounter during their community service activities.

Through community service activities, the educational process in higher education gains a broader dimension. Students are not merely positioned as recipients of knowledge but also as members of the academic community who have the opportunity to bring that knowledge beyond the campus environment and apply it responsibly.

This activity is related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 – Quality Education, through experiential learning and the development of student competencies beyond the classroom. Community service also serves as a means of strengthening the connection between higher education and the actual needs of society.

Through this send-off ceremony, the Faculty of Engineering USU hopes that students will successfully carry out all stages of the community service program and gain valuable experiences that enrich their academic learning and personal development. These experiences are expected to prepare students to become competent, adaptable engineering graduates who care about the social environment around them.