The Board of the Indonesian Geotechnical Engineering Association (HATTI) for the North Sumatra Regional Commissariat for the 2026-2030 term has been inaugurated. The inauguration was combined with a seminar (public lecture) held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine, HKBP Nommensen University (UHN) Medan, on Thursday.

Following the inauguration, the HATTI North Sumatra board prioritized several programs. These include a public lecture at USU in early May, followed by a national seminar in September 2026. The national seminar is a response to the increasing risk of flood and landslide disasters in the regions of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.

Chairman of HATTI North Sumatra, Ir Berlin A Tampubolon, accompanied by Secretary Ir Irwan Suranta Sembiring, stated this after the inauguration and seminar activities.

Berlin emphasized that a geotechnical approach must become the main foundation in every development, especially in areas with high disaster vulnerability.

“We can no longer build without understanding soil conditions. Geotechnics must be the basis of every plan, especially in landslide and flood-prone areas like parts of North Sumatra,” said Berlin.

He revealed that the upcoming national seminar will carry the theme ‘Mitigation and Rehabilitation of Natural Disasters: Challenges and Geotechnical Strategies for Sustainable Development in North Sumatra.’

According to Berlin, the event is not just an academic forum but is also designed as a space for cross-sector collaboration, involving the government, academics, practitioners, and the construction industry.

Chairman of the HATTI 2026 National Seminar Committee, Dr Ir Ernesto M. Silitonga, emphasized that the seminar aims to produce applicable recommendations that can be directly implemented.

“We want this forum to generate concrete solutions, not just discussions. There must be an output that can be used in disaster planning and management,” he stressed.

Geographically, the regions of North Sumatra and Aceh have complex soil characteristics, such as clay, weathered rock, and hilly contours with steep slopes. This condition increases the potential for landslides, especially during heavy rainfall.

Vice Chairman of the HATTI North Sumatra 2026 National Seminar, Dr Ir Immanuel Panggabean, stated that the role of geotechnical experts is crucial, not only in the planning stage but also in post-disaster management.

“Slope stability analysis, soil investigation, and mitigation design must be standards in every project. This can no longer be considered an afterthought,” he said.

Meanwhile, from the Scientific and Professional Development Division, Ir Adi Yesaya Sukatendel highlighted the importance of utilizing technology in disaster mitigation.

He mentioned the use of early warning systems, slope monitoring tools such as inclinometers, and the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) with geospatial data (GeoBIM) as strategic steps for the future.

“Technology must be part of the solution. With accurate data, risks can be minimized from the start,” he said.

Shortage of Geotechnical Experts
Secretary General of HATTI, Ir Andi KS Kartawiria, added that the need for geotechnical experts in North Sumatra is not just about numbers, but also about urgency in addressing development challenges.

“Every infrastructure project is highly dependent on geotechnics. Without it, the risk of construction failure is very high,” he said.

He also highlighted field challenges, such as a lack of experts and limited data, which often cause delays in disaster response, especially when access is cut off due to landslides.

Through this national seminar, HATTI North Sumatra aims to drive a paradigm shift from a reactive to a preventive approach in disaster management.
The geotechnical approach is expected to minimize risks from the initial stages, including through mapping vulnerable areas and recommending more adaptive spatial planning.

Going forward, HATTI North Sumatra targets the creation of a concrete and implementable geotechnical-based disaster mitigation roadmap as an outcome of the forum.

This step is considered important to support resilient, safe, and sustainable infrastructure development, not only in North Sumatra but also in the Sumatra region as a whole.

HKBP Nommensen University (UHN) Medan

HKBP Nommensen University (UHN) Medan is a private Christian university in North Sumatra, Indonesia, established by the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP) church. It was founded in 1954 and named after the German missionary Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen, who brought Christianity to the Batak people in the 19th century. The university aims to provide higher education rooted in Christian values while serving the local community.

USU

USU typically refers to Utah State University, a public land-grant research university located in Logan, Utah. Founded in 1888 as the Agricultural College of Utah, it has grown into a comprehensive university known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and natural resources. The university’s historic Old Main building, completed in 1902, remains a symbol of its long-standing educational mission and connection to the region’s heritage.

North Sumatra

North Sumatra is a province in Indonesia known for its stunning natural landscapes, including Lake Toba—the largest volcanic lake in the world—and the cultural heritage of the Batak people. Historically, the region was influenced by trade and colonial powers, with the Dutch establishing control in the late 19th century to exploit its resources, such as rubber and tobacco. Today, it remains a vibrant destination for both its scenic beauty and rich traditions, including traditional Batak music, dance, and architecture.

West Sumatra

West Sumatra is a province in Indonesia known for its stunning natural landscapes, including the iconic Lake Maninjau and the highlands of Bukittinggi. Culturally, it is the homeland of the Minangkabau people, famous for their matrilineal social system and unique architecture with distinctive roof shapes. Historically, the region was a center of trade and Islamic scholarship, and it played a significant role in the Padri War (1803–1838) and the struggle for Indonesian independence.

Aceh

Aceh is a province on the northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia, historically known as a powerful Islamic sultanate and a key center for the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia during the 16th and 17th centuries. It fiercely resisted Dutch colonial rule and later fought a long, devastating separatist conflict with the Indonesian government, which ended with the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement. The region is also famous for its unique Islamic culture and the devastating impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which spurred the peace process.