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> News > Driving Evidence-Based Policy: USU Partners with Government for Research and Development

Driving Evidence-Based Policy: USU Partners with Government for Research and Development

Published At

30 August 2024

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Through its sustained collaboration with government institutions and regional agencies, Universitas Sumatera Utara exemplifies the role of a research university in promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. By supporting data-driven governance and cross-sector partnerships, USU directly contributes to the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Medan, 30 August 2024 — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) continues to play a leading role in advancing evidence-based policy and development research through active collaboration with government institutions at the local, regional, and national levels. These partnerships reinforce USU’s mission under the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, integrating research excellence with public policy innovation to strengthen governance, community welfare, and sustainable development.

Through the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM USU), the university coordinates hundreds of research projects addressing public-sector challenges and development priorities. These include joint studies commissioned by ministries, local governments, and regional development agencies (Bappeda) — producing data-driven insights and technical recommendations for policymaking.

At the regional level, USU has worked closely with the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) of Medan City Government. One recent example is the collaboration between the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP USU) and BRIDA Kota Medan, which focused on analyzing the social and economic impacts of refugee populations in Medan City. The joint discussion and coordination meeting explored how local governments can formulate policies to improve public services while maintaining social cohesion in urban areas.

This collaboration demonstrates USU’s role in helping local governments craft responsive and inclusive policies grounded in field-based research. The findings not only inform city planning but also serve as a model for data-oriented decision-making across North Sumatra.

In 2023, USU recorded 342 collaborative research projects under the TALENTA Research Program, supported by non-PNBP institutional funds and managed by the LPPM

These research initiatives cover a wide range of applied and policy-oriented studies, from public health and environmental sustainability to agriculture, education, and law.

Some notable examples include:

  • Public Health Policy Studies focusing on stunting prevention, digital health systems, and maternal health strategies across North Sumatra;

  • Environmental and Forestry Research developing carbon stock estimation models and climate-resilient land use planning;

  • Legal and Governance Projects examining refugee management frameworks, anti-deforestation regulations, and e-court implementation for efficient justice delivery; and

  • Economic Policy Analysis aimed at inclusive growth, green economy transition, and local enterprise sustainability.

Each research project engages multidisciplinary teams from faculties such as Public Health, Agriculture, Law, Economics and Business, Engineering, and Social and Political Sciences, ensuring that scientific knowledge contributes directly to evidence-informed policymaking.

The outcomes of these studies are disseminated through policy briefs, stakeholder consultations, and collaborative workshops with government agencies. This approach ensures that findings are not only published academically but also transformed into actionable policy recommendations that inform regional and national planning documents, such as the Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Daerah (RPJMD) and sectoral masterplans.

By aligning academic research with public policy needs, USU strengthens the feedback loop between science and governance, ensuring that decisions are guided by empirical evidence and local context.

Through its sustained collaboration with government institutions and regional agencies, Universitas Sumatera Utara exemplifies the role of a research university in promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. By supporting data-driven governance and cross-sector partnerships, USU directly contributes to the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

With over 340 government-linked research projects and continuous engagement with local and national policymakers, USU remains at the forefront of evidence-based development — turning research into real-world policy solutions that advance sustainable and inclusive growth for Indonesia.

News SDGs 16 SDGs 17

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