Langkat, July 20, 2026 – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Universitas Terbuka (UT), and Universitas Andalas (UNAND) conducted a field survey to identify the geographic coordinates of public assets as part of the development of a digital public asset mapping system in Simpang Kutabuluh Village, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The activity was carried out under the Indonesian Collaborative Community Service Program (Program Pengabdian Masyarakat Kolaborasi Indonesia/PMKI), which involves 24 Legal Entity State Universities (PTNBHs), reflecting a collaborative commitment among higher education institutions to support resilient, adaptive, and sustainable rural development.

The survey involved geotagging strategic public assets using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and digital mapping technology. The assets documented included village roads, bridges, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, clean water infrastructure, places of worship, agricultural areas, village government offices, and other public facilities that play essential roles in community services.

The spatial data collected will be integrated into a digital public asset information system, providing an accurate database to support village development planning, asset management, disaster risk mitigation, and evidence-based decision-making. Through this digital mapping initiative, the village government is expected to gain a comprehensive understanding of the location, condition, vulnerability, and maintenance priorities of each public asset, enabling more effective and efficient asset management.

The survey team consisted of Prof. Dr. Elisabet Siahaan, S.E., M.Ec., Head of the Master's Program in Property Management and Valuation (MMPP) at the USU Graduate School and Director of the Center of Excellence for Science and Technology (PUI) Smart Innovation Hub for Asset Management and System Intelligence, Universitas Sumatera Utara; Dr. Lasma Melinda Siahaan, S.E., M.Si., lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sumatera Utara, and researcher at the PUI Smart Innovation Hub for Asset Management and System Intelligence; Yasir Riady, S.S., M.Hum. from Universitas Terbuka; and Prof. Ir. Taufika Ophiyandri, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. from Universitas Andalas.

According to Prof. Dr. Elisabet Siahaan, digital public asset mapping represents a strategic step toward establishing modern, transparent, and risk-adaptive village asset management. With accurate spatial data, village governments can improve development planning, optimize asset management efficiency, and strengthen preparedness for potential disasters.

Dr. Lasma Melinda Siahaan added that digitalizing public assets not only creates a comprehensive database but also serves as an essential instrument for promoting accountable village governance. Information on the location, condition, function, and risk level of each asset can provide a solid foundation for setting priorities in development, maintenance, and long-term asset protection.

Throughout the survey, the team conducted direct field observations alongside village government officials to verify asset locations and document the physical condition of each facility. This participatory approach actively involved local authorities in the asset inventory process, ensuring that the resulting data accurately reflected on-the-ground conditions.

This initiative also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) by safeguarding productive assets that sustain local economic activities; SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through mapping infrastructure that supports agriculture and food security; SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by identifying healthcare facilities and clean water infrastructure; SDG 4 (Quality Education) through documenting educational facilities to ensure continued access to quality learning environments; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration among universities, village governments, and local communities in developing a technology-driven and sustainable public asset management system.

Through this initiative, Simpang Kutabuluh Village is expected to establish a comprehensive digital public asset database as a foundation for becoming a smart village while strengthening development planning, disaster risk reduction, and more effective public asset management. The collaboration among USU, UT, and UNAND demonstrates the tangible contribution of academia in delivering innovations that directly benefit communities and support the realization of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural development.