Diktisaintek Berdampak News

USU Chemistry Lecturer and Chemistry Students Association Win Two Medals at the 2026 Student Impact Program

The awards were earned through a community service project entitled "Restoring Post-Flood Fish Pond Water Quality through the Implementation of an IoT-Based Smart Water System in the Student Impact Program." The project was supported by the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service (DRTPM), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), 2026.

Is B50 Safe for Diesel Engines? Here’s What USU’s Mechanical Engineering Expert Says

B50 — a blend of 50% palm-based biodiesel (FAME) and 50% fossil diesel that becomes mandatory starting July 1, 2026 — has proven safe across roughly 80–90% of technical test parameters, though that's no absolute guarantee for every engine; the trade-off is a slight rise in fuel consumption, around 1–3% compared to B40. The biggest risk isn't B50 itself, but rather dirty tanks, aging filters, and poor maintenance, so the key remains the same: use fuel from official channels, and keep tanks, filters, and hoses clean through regular checks

USU Researcher Uncovers Strategic Drivers of Innovation in Indonesia’s Telecommunications Industry

A national-scale collaborative study initiated by researchers from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), has examined the key determinants of innovation performance in Indonesia’s telecommunications industry. Based on a survey of 331 managerial-level respondents from various national cellular companies, the study empirically demonstrates that the integration of digital platform capabilities and the strengthening of big data analytics infrastructure significantly enhance innovation excellence and strategic decision-making efficiency. The findings contribute theoretically to the expansion of the dynamic capabilities concept while offering practical recommendations for corporations to foster a data-driven culture to ensure business sustainability in the digital economy era.

USU, UNHAS, and PT Vale Collaboration Advances Biodiversity Monitoring in Lake Matano

Universitas Sumatera Utara, in collaboration with Hasanuddin University and PT Vale Indonesia, participated in biodiversity monitoring at Lake Matano using environmental DNA (eDNA) technology. The initiative strengthens research and conservation efforts while expanding national and international partnerships to support sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity protection.

USU and UMPSA Strengthen Coastal Resilience Through Community Service FGD in Belawan

The program carries the theme ‘Strengthening Disaster Mitigation Education Through Augmented Reality and Virtual Simulations for Coastal Children in Support of SDG 13,’ aiming to improve coastal children's understanding of and preparedness for disaster risks through interactive and innovative digital technologies.

Tapeworm Risks Behind an Extreme Culinary Tradition in Simalungun

A research team from the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), led by Prof. Dr. dr. Dewi Masyithah Darlan, successfully identified Raya Kahean District, Simalungun Regency, as a new endemic hotspot for Taenia asiatica tapeworm infection in North Sumatra. Through stool sample examinations of 428 residents, the study revealed a high taeniasis prevalence rate of 21.7%, with the primary risk factor being the consumption of raw or undercooked liver from domestic pigs and wild boars. Molecular confirmation using Multiplex PCR testing and phylogenetic analysis concluded that the circulating parasite is an ancient hybrid descendant of T. asiatica and T. saginata. These findings highlight the urgent need for sanitation interventions, public education on safe food practices, and mass treatment programs by local health authorities to prevent further transmission.

Breaking Through Patriarchal Barriers: The Struggle of Batak Toba Women to Defend Their Rights to Customary Land

A collaborative study led by an interdisciplinary research team from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) examines the resilience of Batak Toba women in managing and defending their rights to customary land (pauseang) under the dominance of patriarchal culture. Through a qualitative approach involving 180 informants across six regencies in North Sumatra, the study reveals the existence of a “safety valve” mechanism within customary law, while also highlighting vulnerabilities within state legal systems (land certificate legality) and the growing threat of modern agrarian conflicts caused by the rising economic value of land in the Lake Toba region. This article serves as an important reflection on strengthening the role of customary institutions and formulating gender-equitable spatial planning policies.

Strengthening Research and SDGs, Head of USU’s LPPM Participates in the 4th KOICA-ICAB Program in South Korea

Program internasional itu diselenggarakan oleh KOICA-ICAB bekerja sama dengan Seoul National University (SNU) dan sejumlah institusi riset unggulan di Korea Selatan. Fokus utama kegiatan meliputi penguatan kapasitas di bidang green bio science and technology, ketahanan pangan, inovasi pertanian, lingkungan, kehutanan, serta pengembangan kolaborasi internasional.

A New Test for Tropical Forest Resilience

1,586 Students Graduate, USU Rector Encourages Alumni to Make Meaningful Contributions

USU officially graduated 1,586 students during the 2025/2026 Period III commencement ceremony, with Rector Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin encouraging graduates to contribute meaningfully to society.