The Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd, officially sent off 165 students from the Faculty of Agriculture to participate in the Integrated Fieldwork Practice (PKL) and Community Service Program (KKN), which will run for one month. The send-off ceremony was held virtually on Tuesday (June 30).
The integrated PKL-KKN program will take place from July 1–31, 2026, with students assigned to 20 plantation companies across various regions of North Sumatra.
In his remarks, Prof. Akrim expressed his appreciation for the implementation of the integrated program, emphasizing that it serves as an important platform for enhancing students’ competencies while promoting UMSU to the wider community.
“Use this program as a platform to showcase your best abilities and promote UMSU to the community. By demonstrating excellence, you can inspire more people to choose UMSU. Always uphold the university’s good name wherever you carry out your fieldwork and community service,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the students’ presence in local communities would create meaningful benefits while strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and society.
“We hope this program delivers tangible benefits to the community. May it strengthen all of us. Moving forward, we must continue to innovate and build even stronger collaborations,” he added.
The Rector also highlighted the Faculty of Agriculture’s active role in driving innovation within the agricultural sector. UMSU is currently developing several flagship agricultural commodities as part of its downstream agricultural development initiatives in collaboration with alumni and industry partners.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Ir. Wan Arfiani Barus, M.P., represented by Vice Dean I Akbar Habib, S.P., M.P., stated that all participating students had been provided with insurance coverage to ensure their health and safety throughout the field program.
“All 165 students participating in the PKL program are covered by insurance, which has already been processed to ensure their safety and well-being. International students, including those from Cambodia, are also taking part in this year’s program,” he said.
He also reminded students to prioritize safety and remain vigilant throughout their field assignments.
“We hope the program runs smoothly and successfully. Stay safe and always remain alert during your fieldwork,” he advised.
