MEDAN, USU PUBLIC RELATIONS – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) won the 2026 Mandaya Awards in the Higher Education Category for its development of Taman Seribu Bunga Agrotourism in Raya Village, Berastagi District, Karo Regency. The program aims to transform local potential into a new source of economic growth for the community.

The award, organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, was presented at the main award ceremony on October 27, 2026. The trophy was presented by Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar and Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Prof. Dr. Fauzan, M.Pd., to USU Rector Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si.

The award was earned through the 2025 Assisted Village Development Program implemented by the USU Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM USU). Led by Prof. Dr. Ir. Elisa Julianti, M.Si., the program focuses on strengthening the independence of Arih Ersada Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) through the development of Taman Seribu Bunga Agrotourism.

The program has transformed ornamental plant gardens and expansive chrysanthemum fields into an agrotourism destination. Development initiatives include landscaping the flower gardens, providing camping areas, and processing chrysanthemums into a ready-to-drink tea product branded Art-teasant.

The initiative not only offers a tourist attraction but also creates business opportunities through the processing of local products. Arih Ersada BUMDes is expected to become increasingly self-reliant, while local farmers and flower vendors gain opportunities to expand their markets and increase their income.

USU Rector Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si., said the award serves as encouragement for higher education institutions to continue producing innovations that deliver direct benefits to the community.

According to him, research and community service should focus on developing regional potential to create added economic value and strengthen community self-reliance.

“This achievement demonstrates that the contributions of USU’s academic community extend beyond classrooms and scientific journals. They are also present directly in the community, helping drive the local economy. Through the development of Taman Seribu Bunga Agrotourism in Berastagi, we want to ensure that innovations based on regional potential can strengthen BUMDes independence and generate sustainable improvements in the welfare of Raya Village residents,” Prof. Muryanto said.

He added that the success of a community service program should not be measured solely by the activities carried out or awards received, but also by the benefits experienced by the community and the sustainability of the program’s management.

“We want community service programs like this to strengthen people’s ability to manage their own regional potential. In this way, the innovations developed will not end when the mentoring period concludes, but can continue to operate, create business opportunities, and deliver long-term economic benefits,” he said.

The process leading to the 2026 Mandaya Awards began with LPPM USU’s selection of outstanding community service programs. Following registration on October 7, 2026, the program proceeded through selection, presentation, and judging stages on October 20, 2026.