15 April 2025
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The meeting was opened by the Secretary of the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnerships at USU, Arif Nuryawan, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D, and warmly welcomed by the Vice Rector for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at USU, Prof. Dr. Apt. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, M.Si. Also present at the meeting were the Director of the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnerships, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., Global Partnership Manager, Dr. Arida Susilowati, S.Hut., M.Si, and a Master of Forestry student from USU, Muhammad Arif.
Meanwhile, three main speakers from the University of Hawai'i were present: Darshi Banan, Ph.D., Professor Scott Q. Turn, and Ir. Wendy Aritenang, M.Sc., DIC, Ph.D., IPU, who is also a member of the Committee Aviation on Environmental Protection from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The primary focus of the discussion was collaboration on bioenergy research based on local biomass, specifically regarding the utilization of candlenut shell waste. In his presentation, Muhammad Arif explained that candlenut shells, which were previously just waste, have been successfully processed through pyrolysis into charcoal and bio-oil. "This bio-oil was then distilled and showed potential for use as an alternative treatment for hypertension, although it has not yet reached the clinical trial stage," he explained.
The Director of the Directorate of Internationalization and Global Partnerships, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita, S.T., M.T., stated that candlenut is not a main commodity in North Sumatra but has a good and fast growth process. "As far as I know, there are no animals that are pests to this candlenut. In North Sumatra, these candlenut trees grow on their own."
USU is open to establishing broader cooperation with the University of Hawai'i, especially in developing environmentally-oriented research. This audience was held to plan a broader collaboration than the existing cooperation established through various previous activities conducted at the USU Faculty of Forestry. These activities included International Teaching Practitioner, International Guest Lecture, and World Top Scientist Seminar, all of which involved speakers from the University of Hawai'i and related partners.
Darshi Banan and Professor Scott Q. Turn expressed their interest in the research developed by USU, especially as it aligns with their focus on biofuels and energy resilience based on tropical resources. "The potential for this cooperation is immense, and we see that research like this is not only scientifically important but also has direct implications for sustainable energy policy," stated Professor Scott Q. Turn.
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