25 October 2025
Nurul Juliani, S.Si
Medan, October 25, 2025 – PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV) PalmCo Regional I and Regional II, along with the Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), through the D4 Public Sector Accounting officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to strengthen research and development collaboration in accounting and digital transformation in the plantation sector.
The signing ceremony was held in conjunction with the Seminar on Business and Industry titled “Smart Plantation 4.0: Optimizing Plantation Performance through ERP SAP Data Digitalization,” organized by the D4 Public Sector Accounting Study Program, Faculty of Vocational Studies, USU, at the Prof. Suhadji Hadibroto Auditorium, Faculty of Economics and Business, USU.
The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Isfenti Sadalia, S.E., M.E. (Dean of the Faculty of Vocational Studies, USU), Sambas Ade Kesuma, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Ak., CA. (Head of the D4 Public Sector Accounting Study Program), Rurianto (Region Head of Regional I, PTPN IV PalmCo), Daud Imanuel Sembiring (Head of Accounting and Finance Division, Regional I), Edy Lesmana (Acting Head of Secretariat and Legal Division, Regional I), Rudy Simatupang (Head of Engineering and Processing Division, Regional II), Ady Putra Sinambela (Subject Matter Expert, PTPN Group), and the management team of PTPN IV PalmCo. Also in attendance were lecturers and students from the D4 Public Sector Accounting Study Program.
In his remarks, Mr. Rurianto emphasized that this collaboration represents a concrete step towards strengthening the synergy between industry and academia. “This initiative aligns with the directive of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to enhance public welfare by strengthening the competencies of university graduates who are ready to compete globally. PTPN IV PalmCo is committed to becoming a platform for the advancement of knowledge and best practices in the plantation industry,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Isfenti Sadalia expressed her appreciation for this collaboration. “We are deeply grateful for this valuable opportunity. PTPN IV PalmCo has demonstrated a real commitment to supporting vocational education, particularly through the implementation of digitalization in the plantation sector, which is highly relevant to the current demands of the industry,” she said.
In the seminar, Mr. Rudy Simatupang, representing the Region Head of Regional II PTPN IV PalmCo as the keynote speaker and accompanied by Mr. Ady Putra Sinambela, S.T., M.Si., presented the concept of Smart Plantation 4.0 as a digital innovation in modern plantation systems.
Mr. Rudy explained that the ERP SAP system used by PTPN IV has been integrated with light spectrum–based devices that allow for quick and real-time analysis of crop quality. “Everything is systemized within a single SAP module, so the reports can be generated faster and more accurately,” he stated.
Answering questions from student’s regarding the implementation of Smart Plantation, Mr. Rudy emphasized the importance of integrating digitalization, mechanization, and automation. “The digital platform allows data to be collected in real time from plantations to the factory. Through the Palm-O Business Complete (PBC) system, management can directly monitor production capacity, remaining delivery orders, and transport fleet performance accurately and efficiently,” he explained.
Mr. Ady Putra Sinambela added that digitalization is not just a trend but a necessity for data-driven decision-making. “With ERP SAP, business processes become more efficient and transparent. Digitalization transforms operational models from relying on historical data to utilizing real-time data and integrated analytics,” he explained. Mr. Ady also shared an inspiring message through a poem, encouraging vocational students to continue advancing their accounting knowledge amid ongoing digital transformation.
The Head of the D4 Public Sector Accounting Study Program, Sambas Ade Kesuma, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Ak., CA., expressed his hope that this collaboration would broaden students’ perspectives on digital accounting information systems applied in real-world industries. This aligns with the study program’s mission to ensure that students not only master theoretical concepts but also develop the ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in the modern workforce, which is rapidly advancing toward digitalization and automation.
As a follow-up to this collaboration, PTPN IV PalmCo also invited the academic community of the Faculty of Vocational Studies, USU, to conduct an industry visit to the Bah Butong Tea Plantation as a hands-on learning experience on the implementation of the ERP SAP system in the field.
This initiative marks an important first step in strengthening applied research and digital transformation in the fields of accounting and plantation management. The collaboration between PTPN IV PalmCo and the Faculty of Vocational Studies, USU, is expected to produce vocational graduates who are adaptive, innovative, and ready to face the challenges of Industry 4.0.
More on this topic (PTPN IV PalmCo dan Vokasi USU):
https://www.hariancentral.net/2025/10/ptpn-iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu.html
https://www.mediareportasenews.com/2025/10/ptpn-iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu.html
https://www.barometeronlinesumut.com/2025/10/ptpn-iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu.html
http://www.pilarkeadilanrakyat.biz.id/2025/10/ptpn-iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu.html
https://www.intaikasus.com/2025/10/ptpn-iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu.html
https://www.waspada.id/medan/ptpn-iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu-jalin-kolaborasi-riset/
https://mimbarumum.co.id/ptpn-lv-plamco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu-jalin-kolaborasi-riset/
https://www.detik86news.com/2025/10/iv-palmco-dan-fakultas-vokasi-usu-jalin.html
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