Medan Area University (UMA), the Indonesian Palm Oil Technology Institute (ITSI), and the MBP Polytechnic collaborated on a Community Service (PKM) activity at MIS Al Khairat Delitua. The program, which took place on February 1, 2025, focused on Palm Oil and Its Derivatives Education for elementary school students.

PKM is part of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, which is mandatory for lecturers to carry out, in addition to teaching and research duties. This is in accordance with Law No. 12 of 2012 concerning Higher Education and Minister of Education and Culture Regulation No. 3 of 2020 concerning National Higher Education Standards, which encompass standards for education, research, and community service.

The joint PKM team consists of UMA lecturers, namely Healthy Aldriany Prasetyo, STP., MT.; Apip Gunaldi, SP., MSc.; and Mega Puspita Sari, SSi., MSi. From ITSI, the team involved Ir. Rafael Remit Winardi, MP.; Siti Aisyah, ST., MSi.; and Henry Budi Hasibuan, SP., MAgr. Meanwhile, from MBP Polytechnic, the team was represented by Dra. Sinta Diana, MHum., and Riodinar Harianja, SE., MSi., assisted by five students from ITSI and UMA.

As the activity coordinator, Ir. Rafael Remit Winardi, MP., explained that PKM is a routine activity conducted by lecturers. However, on this occasion, the theme chosen was to educate elementary school students about the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Indonesia. This activity aims to increase understanding of the challenges facing the palm oil industry, particularly in addressing the various negative narratives frequently appearing in the media, such as environmental issues.

The educational method in this PKM includes a presentation on the benefits of palm oil in everyday life, as well as an introduction to the parts of the palm tree, from the roots and trunk to the leaves, to the fruit and fruit stalks. Students are also invited to watch a video on the processing of palm fruit into palm oil and cooking oil, and are introduced to various palm-based products, such as cosmetics, soap, toothpaste, wax, lubricants, and ink.

As a form of appreciation, at the end of the activity the PKM team gave gifts to students and teachers, containing various palm-based products, such as cooking oil, soap, butter, and bread.

Eka Oksani Harahap, SPd., MPd., the Principal of MIS Al Khairat, expressed his gratitude and thanks to the PKM team for the knowledge and insights they had imparted to the students. He hopes similar activities with different themes can be held again at the school in the future.