24/04/2026
22 April - Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universitas Sumatra Utara (USU) Strengthen International Collaboration Through Community Development FGD in Habeahan Village.
As part of the International Community Development Program supported by the Program Equity grant funded by LPDP, Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Gs. Ts. Dr. Mohd. Hasmadi Ismail from Universiti Putra Malaysia participated as a keynote resource person in an international Focus Group Discussion (FGD) held in Desa Habeahan, Lintong Nihuta District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
The program was organized through a collaborative partnership between Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi MARA, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity and promoting environmental sustainability towards the development of independent and productive rural communities.
The community development initiative was led by Prof. Rahmawaty, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D. as the head of the community engagement team from Universitas Sumatera Utara. The team members included Prof. Dr. Ir. Abdul Rauf, MP; Dr. Ir. Bejo Slamet, S.Hut., M.Si., IPM; Ir. Yusak Maryunianta, MP; and Nur Ulina Warnisyah Sebayang, M.Agr. The program also involved students and alumni from the Agribusiness Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara, as part of the university’s commitment to community-based academic engagement and sustainable rural development.
During his presentation session, Prof. Mohd. Hasmadi Ismail shared a series of community development experiences and sustainable environmental management initiatives implemented in Malaysia. His presentation highlighted the importance of integrating academic expertise, local community participation, and institutional collaboration to achieve long-term, sustainable rural development.
Prof. Hasmadi explained several approaches adopted in Malaysian rural development programs, particularly in environmental conservation, community empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and participatory land management. He emphasised that successful community development requires continuous engagement between universities, local authorities, and rural communities to ensure that development programs remain inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable.
Drawing on his experiences in Malaysia, Prof. Hasmadi also discussed how local resources and community strengths can be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities through innovation, capacity-building, and environmentally responsible practices. He encouraged the local community of Desa Habeahan to maximize their existing natural resources and agricultural potential while maintaining ecological balance and environmental resilience.
According to Prof. Hasmadi, villages such as Desa Habeahan possess strong potential to become models of sustainable rural transformation if supported by collaborative partnerships, strategic planning, and community-driven development initiatives.
“The sustainability of rural development depends not only on infrastructure and economic growth, but also on the strength of community participation, environmental awareness, and institutional collaboration,” stated Prof. Hasmadi during the discussion session.
The sharing session attracted active participation from local government representatives, village leaders, community members, academics, and students. Participants discussed adapting successful Malaysian community development practices to the local context of Desa Habeahan.
This international academic engagement demonstrates UPM’s ongoing commitment to global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and sustainable community empowerment initiatives across borders. The program also strengthened regional academic partnerships between Malaysia and Indonesia to address rural development challenges through interdisciplinary, community-oriented approaches.
Through such collaborations, international knowledge exchange is expected to contribute significantly to advancing sustainable village development and to improving the socio-economic resilience of rural communities in both countries.