The Institute for Research and Community Service of Universitas Terbuka (LPPM UT) through its Community Service Center continues to expand its network of collaborations with various stakeholders, including other universities, local governments, communities, as well as businesses and industries, both nationally and internationally. 

On Wednesday, January 5, 2024, a Memorandum of Agreement Signing Ceremony took place between LPPM UT, PT Arutmin Indonesia Tambang Kintap, and the Universitas Sumatra Utara (USU) for Community Service (PkM). The event was held at the office of PT Arutmin Indonesia Tambang Kintap in Kabupaten Tanah Laut, Kalimantan Selatan. The agreement was signed by Lutfi Qolbirokhim, Head of Mining Engineering at PT Arutmin Indonesia Tambang Kintap; Prof. Tulus Vor. Dipl. Marth., M. Si., Ph.D., Head of Community Service at USU; and Prof. Dra. Dewi Artati Padmo Putri, M. A., Ph.D., Head of Research and Community Service at UT, represented by Dra. Yusrafiddin, M. Pd., Head of the Community Service Center at UT. Additionally, Ir. Mochamad Priono, M.Si., Director of UT Banjarmasin, attended as the head of the National PkM team and facilitator of the agreement signing. 

Dra. Yusrafiddin, M. Si., stated that this PkM collaboration is a first step in the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and collaboration with the business and industrial sectors. “We hope this collaboration will continue well and not stop at this event alone,” she said. 

Prof. Tulus Vor. Dipl. Marth, M. Si, Ph.D., and his team welcomed this collaboration enthusiastically. Immediately following the signing, the PkM team from the University of North Sumatra conducted a three-day community outreach and assistance program in Mekar Sari Village, Kintap. 

The PkM team from UT, consisting of lecturers and students, will also carry out a National PkM program this year. Their activities will focus on improving the quality of learning at Community Learning Centers, providing entrepreneurship mentoring, and developing product and marketing strategies in Mekar Sari Village, around the site of PT Arutmin Indonesia Tambang Kintap. 

This partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and industry, demonstrating a shared commitment to making a tangible impact on the community. Through the synergy between LPPM UT, USU, and PT Arutmin Indonesia, it is hoped that various community empowerment programs can be implemented more effectively and sustainably. Moreover, this initiative is expected to inspire other institutions to expand their collaboration networks and provide positive impacts on broader society.