Medan, September 8, 2026 – The Undergraduate Mining Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), officially welcomed students from SMKN 2 Batang Toru to participate in a six-month Field Work Practice (PKL) program within the Mining Engineering Program at the Faculty of Engineering, USU.

The students were officially welcomed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, by Edi Yasa Ardiansyah, S.T., M.T., Secretary of the Mining Engineering Program, representing the program leadership. The students were accompanied by Annisa Fitri Siregar, their PKL supervising teacher from SMKN 2 Batang Toru.

SMKN 2 Batang Toru is located at Padang Sidempuan-Sibolga Km. 26, Sipenggeng, Batang Toru District, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. The Field Work Practice program at the Undergraduate Mining Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, USU, will run from September 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027.

The student placement program is part of the Mining Engineering Program’s efforts to expand learning opportunities and strengthen connections among higher education, vocational education, and the world of work. The program also reflects the spirit of Diktisaintek Berdampak, an impact-oriented higher education initiative that encourages universities to generate tangible benefits for society and contribute to human resource development.

Through the program, students will gain hands-on learning experience in a university environment while becoming familiar with academic, administrative, laboratory, and field activities related to mining engineering.

The Secretary of the Mining Engineering Program, Edi Yasa Ardiansyah, S.T., M.T., welcomed the students and emphasized that the program provides an opportunity to strengthen the connection between vocational education and higher education.

“We are pleased to welcome the students of SMKN 2 Batang Toru to undertake their Field Work Practice at the Mining Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, USU. This program is not only part of their learning process but also represents the university’s contribution to providing practical experience and knowledge that can support their future competency development,” said Edi Yasa Ardiansyah.

He further explained that the implementation of Diktisaintek Berdampak encourages higher education institutions to look beyond internal academic processes and create meaningful benefits for communities and stakeholders.

“Through this Field Work Practice program, we aim to provide students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences. They will have the opportunity to observe how a university manages educational activities, laboratories, administration, and field-based activities. We hope this experience will strengthen their competencies while giving them a broader understanding of higher education and the professional world,” he added.

Academic and Practical Activities at the Faculty of Engineering

Throughout the Field Work Practice program, students will participate in various activities organized by the Mining Engineering Program. These activities include administrative activities, lectures, field activities, and laboratory work.

Through administrative activities, students will become familiar with administrative procedures and academic management within the Mining Engineering Program. By participating in lectures, they will have the opportunity to observe the learning process at the university level and gain a better understanding of the academic environment.

Students will also participate in field activities related to mining engineering. These activities are expected to help them understand how technical knowledge and skills are applied in professional and mining-related settings.

In addition, students will gain practical experience through laboratory activities conducted within the Mining Engineering Program and, more broadly, within the Faculty of Engineering, USU. These activities will introduce students to educational and research facilities while emphasizing the role of laboratory work in developing technical competencies.

By participating in these activities, students are expected to develop not only technical knowledge but also essential soft skills, including teamwork, communication, responsibility, discipline, and adaptability to academic and professional environments.

Field Work Practice as an Implementation of the Kurikulum Merdeka

Field Work Practice is part of the students’ vocational learning experience and serves as a platform for learning in a real-world work environment. The program also represents an implementation of the Kurikulum Merdeka (Independent Curriculum), which provides students with opportunities to gain direct learning experiences in environments relevant to their areas of expertise.

Learning through direct experience allows students to connect the knowledge acquired at school with practical activities in the field. In this way, the Field Work Practice program is expected to strengthen students’ readiness to face the evolving demands of the workplace and pursue further education.

The university environment also offers a distinctive learning experience for vocational high school students. Interaction with lecturers, university students, academic staff, and other members of the USU academic community can broaden students’ understanding of higher education and provide insights into opportunities for further study, particularly in mining engineering.

Strengthening Synergy Between Vocational and Higher Education

The acceptance of SMKN 2 Batang Toru students for Field Work Practice at the Mining Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, USU, represents an effort to strengthen synergy between vocational education and higher education.

Collaboration between educational institutions plays an important role in ensuring continuity in learning and human resource development. Vocational education provides students with foundational occupational skills, while universities offer broader academic experiences, disciplinary knowledge, and access to educational and research facilities.

In this context, the Mining Engineering Program at USU is committed to providing a supportive learning environment that enables students to make the most of their Field Work Practice.

The program also represents a tangible contribution by the university to the Diktisaintek Berdampak agenda, particularly through strengthening collaboration with educational institutions, developing the competencies of young people, and expanding the benefits of higher education to society.

Advancing Impact-Oriented Higher Education

The Field Work Practice program for students from SMKN 2 Batang Toru at the Mining Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, USU, is expected to go beyond fulfilling academic requirements and provide meaningful learning experiences for the students.

During the six-month program, students are expected to strengthen their knowledge, technical skills, discipline, and readiness to enter the workforce or pursue higher education.

For the Mining Engineering Program at USU, welcoming vocational high school students for Field Work Practice is also part of its commitment to building an open, collaborative, and community-oriented educational ecosystem.

Through this program, the Mining Engineering Program hopes to further strengthen its institutional relationship with SMKN 2 Batang Toru and generate mutual benefits, particularly in supporting the development of qualified human resources in the mining sector.

The program also reflects the spirit of Diktisaintek Berdampak, demonstrating the role of higher education not only in producing qualified graduates but also in building meaningful partnerships, expanding access to educational opportunities, and contributing to community development and the advancement of Indonesia’s human resources.