Pekanbaru, September 26 – The relationship between the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FP USU), and its alumni continues to be strengthened through the direct involvement of faculty leaders in the IKA USU Riau Region Alumni Gathering. The activity, held at Hotel Pangeran, Pekanbaru, on Saturday (September 26, 2026), provided a space for the FP USU academic community to meet and interact with alumni who are working across various sectors.
FP USU involved several members of the faculty leadership and academic management in the activity, namely Dr. Rulianda Purnomo Wibowo, S.P., M.Ec., as Dean of FP USU; Prof. Luthfi Aziz Mahmud Siregar, S.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., as Vice Dean for Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Infrastructure; Ridwansyah, S.TP., M.Si., as Head of the Undergraduate Program in Food Technology; Dr. Lukman Adlin Harahap, S.TP., M.Si., as Head of the Undergraduate Program in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Syahril, S.P., M.P., as Manager for Administration, Finance, Human Resources, and Infrastructure; and Galih Ari Wirawan Siregar, S.Pt., M.Si., as a lecturer at FP USU.
The presence of faculty leaders, heads of study programs, and lecturers was not only a form of faculty participation in alumni activities but also part of efforts to maintain communication with graduates who have entered the workforce and are working in various fields.
FP USU alumni who are spread across various sectors possess experiences and networks that can serve as sources of information for the development of education at the faculty. Therefore, the involvement of study program managers and lecturers in activities such as this provides an opportunity to establish direct communication regarding developments in the world of work, graduate competency needs, and collaboration opportunities that can be developed between study programs and alumni.
The presence of the heads of study programs is also important in strengthening academic relations with alumni. Such communication can open opportunities for cooperation in learning activities, sharing professional experiences with students, developing internship and career networks, research, and community service activities.
Meanwhile, the involvement of faculty leaders strengthens institutional communication with alumni, particularly alumni who hold positions and have networks in government, industry, business, and other professional fields. These relationships are expected to develop into more concrete and sustainable forms of cooperation.
The Alumni Gathering was part of a series of activities comprising the Inauguration of the IKA USU Riau Region Management for the 2026–2030 Period, Grand Reunion, and Regional Work Meeting, which carried the theme “Synergy among USU Alumni in Riau, Making Meaningful Contributions to the Nation.” The activity was attended by nearly 500 USU alumni and various guests, including university and faculty leaders, government representatives, alumni organizations, and other partners.
As part of the series of activities, Ir. Syahroni Tua Harahap, M.M., was inaugurated as Chairperson of the IKA USU Riau Region for the 2026–2030 period, with Wisnu Handana, S.T.P., as Secretary, together with the other members of the management. The inauguration ceremony was led by the Chairperson of the Central IKA USU, Dr. KH. Romo R. Muhammad Syafi’i, S.H., M.Hum.
The activities also featured various agendas that brought together alumni from different generations, including a reunion, regional work meeting, alumni and partner MSME bazaar, and several other supporting activities. The presence of alumni from various backgrounds demonstrated the extensive network of USU graduates in Riau Province.
For FP USU, participation in alumni activities is one of the means of maintaining relationships with graduates while identifying areas for potential collaboration. Closer relationships among the faculty, study programs, lecturers, and alumni are expected to benefit student development, improve the relevance of education to the world of work, and strengthen the contribution of the alma mater to society.
Efforts to expand and strengthen networks between higher education institutions, alumni, and various stakeholders are in line with SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals through the development of mutually supportive and sustainable collaboration.