Lecturer of the Civil Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering USU, Dr. Ir. Rahmi Karolina, S.T., M.T., IPM., GP., has been selected as a recipient of the Research Downstreaming Program of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology through the Technology Promotion Scheme. The funding is allocated for the 2027 pre-feasibility study stage. The pre-feasibility study is an initial stage for assessing the potential for technology development before proceeding to further downstreaming processes.

The research project receiving this support is entitled “Green Paving Blocks Based on Fly Ash for Low-Carbon Infrastructure”. The research proposes the use of fly ash as a constituent material for paving blocks, aimed at supporting the development of environmentally friendly construction materials.

This support strengthens opportunities for researchers at the Faculty of Engineering USU to bridge research findings with development needs. If its feasibility can be demonstrated in subsequent stages, this innovation has the potential to support the provision of construction materials that use resources more efficiently and have a lower carbon footprint.

This achievement is related to SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through the development of construction material technology. The use of fly ash is also relevant to SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 on Climate Action as a direction for developing low-carbon materials.

The Faculty of Engineering USU continues to encourage research that can be developed gradually into technical solutions that benefit society and the environment.