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> News > USU Collaborates with NGOs on Climate Adaptation Through Research and Joint Initiatives

USU Collaborates with NGOs on Climate Adaptation Through Research and Joint Initiatives

Published At

15 October 2024

Published By

Threesna Sharfina

“This recognition reflects the strength of collaboration as the foundation of impactful climate action,” said Professor Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. “By working hand in hand with government and civil society, USU continues to transform research into sustainable solutions that build resilience for future generations.”

Medan, (December 07, 2024) — Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has strengthened its position as a key partner in climate adaptation and sustainable development through intensive collaboration with government institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This commitment was nationally recognised in 2024 when USU received the Anugerah Kerjasama Award from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), earning the Silver Winner distinction in the category of Best Collaboration with Government and NGOs among universities with legal-entity status (PTNBH). The award underscores USU’s success in building partnership-based programmes that support climate resilience and adaptation across academic, policy, and community arenas.

Universitas Sumatera Utara actively collaborates with NGOs on climate adaptation through research partnerships, technical studies, and community engagement. In 2024, USU’s Faculty of Forestry partnered with GIZ (German Development Cooperation) under the GIZ-SUPA Project (Sustainable Use of Peatland and Haze Mitigation in ASEAN), which included the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the University of Syiah Kuala. This collaboration focused on improving peatland management, reducing haze, and strengthening community resilience in regions vulnerable to fires and land degradation. By contributing scientific input to land-use planning and peatland restoration efforts, USU helped ensure that peatland management strategies are grounded in evidence and aligned with broader climate-adaptation needs.

In addition to international partnerships, USU works closely with local NGOs such as Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (YEL) and the Sumatera Rainforest Institute. Together, they organised a seminar on sustainable land use and climate adaptation strategies that brought together policymakers, academics, and local communities. The event provided a platform to discuss practical approaches for protecting ecosystems, reducing climate risks, and supporting sustainable livelihoods, while strengthening dialogue between government, civil society, and the university. These activities demonstrate how USU leverages its research capacity and local networks to ensure that climate solutions are inclusive and responsive to community realities.

Across its faculties and research centres, USU routinely collaborates with national and international organisations on interdisciplinary research related to climate mitigation and adaptation. These partnerships bring together expertise in environmental science, engineering, social sciences, and policy analysis to design community-based programmes that enhance adaptive capacity and promote sustainable development. Joint initiatives have addressed topics such as climate education, peatland protection, carbon monitoring, and community disaster resilience—ensuring that academic research does not remain confined to publications, but is translated into policies, field projects, and tools that communities can use to manage climate risks.

“This recognition reflects the strength of collaboration as the foundation of impactful climate action,” said Professor Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara. “By working hand in hand with government and civil society, USU continues to transform research into sustainable solutions that build resilience for future generations.” His statement captures the university’s view that meaningful climate action depends on long-term cooperation, knowledge sharing, and mutual trust between universities, policymakers, and civil-society organisations.

Through its sustained partnership model, Universitas Sumatera Utara actively advances Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By working with partners such as GIZ, YEL, the Sumatera Rainforest Institute, and multiple government agencies, USU demonstrates how inclusive, evidence-based collaboration with civil society can drive climate resilience and sustainable land management. In doing so, the university positions itself as a collaborative centre for innovation, knowledge exchange, and policy impact in North Sumatra and beyond—showing that universities can lead collective action for a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and socially just future.

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