HUMAS USU – The Faculty of Forestry (FaHut) of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with PT. Orangutan Haven, held a public lecture themed *“Bioprospecting and Conservation Business Opportunities.”* The lecture was part of the 11th Anniversary of the Faculty of Forestry and the 26th Anniversary of the Forestry Study Program. The event took place at the Faculty of Forestry, USU Campus II in Kwala Bekala, on Thursday (18/09/2025).

The lecture was conducted online and open to the public, featuring two distinguished speakers: Panut Hadisiswoyo, S.S., M.A., M.Sc., from the Orangutan Information Center (OIC), and Ian Singleton, Ph.D., O.B.E from PT. Orangutan Haven. Their presence was expected to provide insights into conservation efforts and strategies to protect biodiversity, particularly orangutans.

Dr. Ir. Pindi Patana, S.Hut., M.Sc., IPU., highlighted that the theme was highly relevant and strategic, as it not only emphasized biodiversity conservation but also opened opportunities for sustainable utilization with economic value. He also underlined the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions as centers of knowledge development and the government as the policymaker and regulatory enabler.

“How important it is for universities, as well as government regulations, to ensure that our natural resources are truly utilized,” he stated.

Ir. Pindi further explained that the theme of this year’s anniversary was expected to raise public awareness that discussions often focus only on resource protection, overlooking the fact that these resources can also bring tangible benefits to society, especially in the economic field.

“This anniversary is not only for our own circle but also an effort to spread information through activities like this, which are actually very interesting,” he continued.