Medan, July 22, 2025 – In a strategic effort to expand institutional networks and strengthen collaboration between vocational education and industry, the Applied Bachelor's Program in Public Sector Accounting, Faculty of Vocational Education, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), conducted an official visit to the Indonesian Oil Palm Technology Institute (ITSI) on Monday, July 22, 2025.
The visit was led by Dr. Sambas Ade Kesuma, SE, M.Si, Ph.D, Ak, CA, Head of the Applied Bachelor's Program in Public Sector Accounting, and a team of lecturers and education staff. This meeting marked the initial step in forming a tripartite partnership between the Faculty of Vocational Education USU, ITSI, and PTPN IV PalmCo.
The agenda included institutional dialogue, exploration of vocational-based collaboration models, and the initiation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) as the legal foundation for cross-sector cooperation in education, industry, and research. The discussion was warm and productive, with all parties demonstrating commitment to implementing tangible programs, such as cross-institutional industrial internships, human resource training tailored to industry needs, applied research in the palm oil sector, and joint community engagement in plantation areas.
Mr. Purjianto, SE., MM., Rector of ITSI, warmly welcomed the delegation, who expressed appreciation for USU's vocational initiative. “We greatly welcome this concrete step. Vocational education must be at the forefront of preparing high-quality human resources who understand real industry needs. We hope this collaboration becomes a model for strategic and sustainable vocational partnerships,” said Mr. Purjianto. As background, the Indonesian Oil Palm Technology Institute (ITSI) was formerly known as the College of Agricultural Agribusiness (STIP-AP). Its transformation into ITSI was officially recognized through the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia No. 558/E/O/2021, marking a strong commitment to becoming a national center of excellence for oil palm education.
“This tripartite collaboration is not merely symbolic. It is a starting point for executing strategic agendas between vocational campuses and industry, so our graduates are relevant and job-ready,” emphasized Dr. Sambas in his closing remarks. This initiative underscores the ongoing commitment of the Applied Bachelor's Program in Public Sector Accounting to bridge academia with the workforce, especially in the agro-industry and palm oil plantation sectors—key industries that demand skilled, application-oriented, and professional vocational graduates.