USU PR – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), through the Graduate School of the Master’s Program in Property and Valuation Management and the USU Center of Excellence for Science and Technology (PUI) in Asset Management, organized a National Webinar entitled “Synergy of Government, Academics, and Practitioners in the Transformation of Regional Asset Management and Valuation to Realize Fiscal Independence and Sustainable Economic Development” on Friday (05/12/2025), held online via Zoom Meeting.

This activity served as a forum for strategic discussion among various stakeholders to strengthen asset governance and optimize regional fiscal potential through synergy between government, the business sector, academics, and the valuation profession.

The event was officially opened by the Rector of USU, represented by the Director of the Graduate School, Prof. Ir. T. Sabrina, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D. In her remarks, Prof. Sabrina emphasized USU’s commitment to continuously serving as a strategic partner in the development of innovative and sustainable asset management practices.

“USU consistently strives to foster an academic ecosystem that encourages synergy between government, the professional sector, and higher education institutions. Through scientific dialogues like this, we build asset management models that are not only efficient but also sustainability-oriented,” said Prof. Sabrina.

The Vice Chair II of the National Executive Board of MAPPI, Wahyu Mahendra, S.T., M.Ec.Dev., M.H., also shared his perspectives on strengthening asset governance at both the national and regional levels.

“Collaboration between local governments and the valuation profession is an important foundation in creating an asset management system that is transparent, accountable, and supportive of sound economic development,” he stated.

As the main speaker, Dr. Drs. H. Agus Fatoni, M.Si., Director General of Regional Financial Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, explained that optimal regional asset management can serve as a strategic solution to strengthen fiscal resilience.

“Regional fiscal conditions demand creativity in seeking alternative sources of financing. Regional assets are not merely inventories, but strategic capital that, when managed professionally, can increase locally generated revenue and fiscal independence,” he explained.

The second speaker, Dr. Badikenita Putri Sitepu, S.E., M.Si., Chair of Committee II of the Regional Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), emphasized the need for transforming asset management as an effort to expand fiscal space and reduce dependence on the central government.

“Optimizing regional assets is a concrete step toward strengthening fiscal capacity and regional independence. Cross-sector collaboration is key to building regional financial policies that are responsive, adaptive, and equitable,” she stressed.

In addition to the presentation sessions, the webinar also featured a panel discussion that addressed best practices in asset management across various regions, including opportunities for integrating technology into the supervision and valuation of public assets.

Through this activity, USU hopes to establish sustainable synergy between government, academics, and practitioners in promoting competitive regional asset management that aligns with the principles of sustainable development.

“We want to ensure that asset management is not merely a technical aspect, but an integral part of inclusive economic development strategies and national fiscal independence,” concluded Prof. Sabrina.