As a concrete implementation of the partnership between Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) and PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV) Regional I, the Undergraduate Program in Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, USU, sent students to undertake a Field Internship (PKL) at the Sei Putih Plantation Unit.
The Field Internship was designed to provide students with practical experience in plantation crop cultivation management, field operations, and the direct application of modern agricultural technologies in the industry. Throughout the program, students were actively involved in the plantation’s daily operations under the guidance of experienced practitioners from PTPN IV Regional I, Sei Putih Plantation Unit.
To ensure that all stages of the Field Internship were carried out in accordance with academic standards and learning outcome targets, a team of faculty supervisors from the Undergraduate Program in Agrotechnology, USU, conducted online supervision. Through these digital meetings, the supervisors monitored students’ daily progress based on their submitted logbooks, discussed technical challenges encountered in the field, and provided academic feedback on projects or reports being prepared.
The supervision was attended by the Agrotechnology undergraduate students undertaking the Field Internship: Nabila Sepira Bangun (230301041), Nirina Zuhaira (230301043), Febri Aulia Br. Simbolon (230301050), Dennis Goinman Aritonang (230301230), and Vinsensius Nainggolan (230301260); faculty supervisors Wida Akasah, S.Agr., M.Sc., and Dody Nofariansyah, S.P.; as well as the Assistant of Division 3 representing PTPN IV.
“This online supervision reflects our commitment to ensuring the quality of students’ learning experiences in the field. Despite the distance, communication among students, faculty supervisors, and industry partners remains intensive,” said an Agrotechnology faculty supervisor from USU during the supervision session.
Through the Field Internship, students were directly involved in the entire oil palm production process—from nursery management and cultivation to processing—to maintain product quality in accordance with established standards. Working closely with technical teams and field personnel, students were able to connect the agronomic theories learned in class with oil palm cultivation practices in the industry.
Academic–Industry Synergy
The management of PTPN IV Regional I, Sei Putih Plantation Unit, welcomed the presence of USU students and expressed its readiness to support the continuation of this collaborative program. The synergy between academia and industry is expected to produce Agrotechnology graduates who are not only strong in theoretical knowledge but also work-ready and familiar with the dynamics of the national plantation industry.
The implementation of the Field Internship reaffirms both parties’ commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between higher education institutions and the industrial sector. Continued synergy between USU and PTPN IV Regional I, Sei Putih Plantation Unit, is expected not only to provide mutual benefits for students and the company but also to contribute positively to human resource development in Indonesia’s agricultural and plantation sectors.
The Field Internship also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through experiential learning and the strengthening of students’ competencies, as well as SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through enhancing students’ readiness to enter the workforce. The collaboration between USU and PTPN IV Regional I is also aligned with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by strengthening synergy between higher education institutions and industry in supporting human resource development in the agricultural and plantation sectors.