EduAsiaNews, Sumatra Utara – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) held its second Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as part of the process of establishing a Center of Excellence (CoE) for Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development in North Sumatra Province on Monday (September 14, 2026). The event took place at the USU Academic Senate Room.
In his remarks, USU Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., said that the establishment of the CoE represents a form of collaboration between higher education institutions and the government in supporting low-carbon development.
“As an educational institution, we are working together to establish what is called a Center of Excellence. As part of that process, we are conducting this FGD,” he said.
He further explained that through the collaboration, experts from USU are expected to contribute to assisting the government in implementing low-carbon development policies. He said the CoE would not merely serve as a platform for academics to gather, but would also provide ideas and expertise that could be utilized in policy implementation.
“We hope that the experts within our institution can later contribute their expertise to the implementation of policies,” he explained.
Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., expressed hope that the CoE, once established, would serve as a think tank capable of providing recommendations and expertise to assist the government in implementing low-carbon development policies.
“Once established, we hope it can become a think tank that contributes ideas and insights to support the implementation of low-carbon development policies,” he added.
Senior Provincial Coordinator of LCDI-2 OPML, Dr. Agus Marwan, S.IP., M.SP., explained that the second FGD was conducted to develop the framework for the Center of Excellence for Low-Carbon Development. According to him, the establishment of the CoE is expected to strengthen the implementation of low-carbon development, particularly in North Sumatra.
“The purpose of this FGD is to design the framework for the Center of Excellence for Low Carbon Development Indonesia,” he explained.
He added that the CoE is also expected to assist local governments in addressing their needs related to low-carbon development while creating opportunities for cooperation with various regions.
“We hope that in the future, cities or groups of cities that may not yet have plans to prepare carbon-related documents can collaborate with the Sumatra Center,” he said.
The second Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Development in North Sumatra Province. (Photo: Muhammad Andriansyah)
Head of the Economic and Natural Resources Division of the North Sumatra Provincial Regional Development, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida), Andrian, S.T., said that low-carbon development requires support in both planning and implementation at the regional level.
He also explained that documents related to low-carbon development need to be integrated into regional development planning documents so that emission reduction targets can become part of local government policies.
“This is a national program that is implemented at the provincial level. We hope that representatives from regencies and cities will also incorporate low-carbon development policies into their RPJMD, Strategic Plans (Renstra), and Regional Government Work Plans (RKPD),” Andrian explained.
The establishment of the CoE is expected to serve not only as a research center but also as a collaborative platform bringing together academics, government, the business sector, and communities. The CoE will be directed toward generating knowledge, innovation, and policy recommendations to support sustainable development in North Sumatra.
