Medan, October 31, 2026 – The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FP USU), invited the Head of the USU PKM Center, Suri Mutia Siregar, S.Psi., M.Psi., as a speaker at PKM Kick Start Session 1, held at Soeratman Hall, FP USU, on Saturday (October 31, 2026). The event aimed to equip students with the knowledge and strategies needed to develop creative ideas into Student Creativity Program (PKM) proposals.

Head of the USU PKM Center, Suri Mutia Siregar, S.Psi., M.Psi., delivering the presentation to participants of the FP USU PKM Kick Start.

In her presentation, Suri Mutia Siregar discussed PKM proposal preparation, covering the introduction of various schemes, the selection of suitable fields, and strategies for identifying ideas with development potential. Students were introduced to nine PKM schemes: PKM-RSH, PKM-PM, PKM-K, PKM-VGK, PKM-RE, PKM-KC, PKM-KI, PKM-PI, and PKM-GFT.

She explained that scheme selection should be based on the core activity, implementation method, and intended outcomes, rather than merely on similarities in topic. In addition, students need to understand the ten mandatory PKM themes for 2026, which cover food, energy, and water independence; health; education; technology; environmental conservation; and economic empowerment.

Students participating in the PKM Kick Start engaging in group discussions to identify PKM ideas based on relevant problems.

Furthermore, the speaker emphasized five important aspects to consider before submitting a proposal: ensuring that the problem and its urgency are supported by data; aligning the scheme with the methods and intended outcomes; clearly demonstrating novelty; meeting the assessment criteria; and completing the administrative requirements in accordance with the official guidelines.

After the presentation, students participated in group discussions to identify PKM ideas based on relevant problems. Each group then presented its ideas as an exercise in communicating and developing them systematically.

This activity was part of PKM Kick Start Session 1, which was attended by the Dean of FP USU, Dr. Rulianda Purnomo Wibowo, S.P., M.Ec.; Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni, Dr. Nini Rahmawati, S.P., M.Si.; lecturers; and FP USU students from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 cohorts.

A group photo of the FP USU PKM Kick Start participants with the speaker, dean, and lecturers of FP USU.

Through this session, FP USU hopes that students will be able to prepare well-structured PKM proposals, develop strong ideas, and improve their readiness to compete at the national level. The activity also supports SDG 4 – Quality Education through the enhancement of student competencies and creativity.