The Community Service Team from the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on June 11, 2026, in Kampung Nelayan Seberang, Belawan. The activity was conducted as part of the EQUITY Community Service Program.
The USU team was led by Dr. Ir. Rahmi Karolina, S.T., M.T., IPM., GP., ASEAN Eng., with team members Dr. Ir. Ika Puji Hastuty, S.T., M.T., IPM., Dr. Ir. Nursyamsi, S.T., M.T., and Ir. M. Agung Putra Handana, S.T., M.T. UMPSA was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Fakhrurrazi Bin Ishak, while the Belawan I Village Administration was represented by Village Secretary Hasudungan Limbong, S.E.
The program also involved Civil Engineering students participating through the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) scheme, namely Faridsyah, Saskia, Nabila, Tolcha, Arief, Win, Haftsari, Beugleh, Graceya, Nazwa, Felindra, and Sayyid. The forum brought together representatives from higher education institutions, the local government, and the community to discuss the implementation of disaster mitigation education for children living in coastal areas.
The FGD carried the theme "Strengthening Disaster Mitigation Education through Augmented Reality and Virtual Simulation for Coastal Children in Support of SDG 13." During the session, the team presented the program's progress and introduced the Augmented Reality Card Tectonic and a virtual simulation platform designed to help children understand disaster processes, recognize coastal hazards, and learn appropriate disaster mitigation measures.
The use of these interactive learning tools is expected to enhance coastal children's knowledge, awareness, and preparedness for disasters, although their long-term impact will require further evaluation. The initiative primarily supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) while also contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, remains committed to advancing technology-based disaster education through community service initiatives and international collaboration. This approach is intended to expand disaster mitigation literacy while strengthening the resilience and preparedness of coastal communities in facing disaster risks.