The Vocational College at Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) held an Open Senate Meeting to mark its 16th Anniversary on Monday (Oct. 27) at the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) Building. The event, themed “Building Impactful Applied Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs,” was attended by Dr. Dwi Purwantoro, Director General of Water Resources at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, who is also a UGM alumnus.
“We believe vocational education plays a vital role in preparing human resources capable of meeting the needs of national infrastructure development,” said Dr. Dwi Purwantoro.
In his address, Dr. Purwantoro emphasized the importance of synergy between educational institutions and the government in supporting programs aimed at ensuring food, energy, and water security.
He explained that modern water resource management now goes beyond physical infrastructure development and is grounded in principles of sustainability.
“We are developing the concept of smart water management to ensure efficient and sustainable use of water while involving communities at every stage of development,” he stated.
Dr. Purwantoro also commended SV UGM for producing graduates ready to work in the fields of civil and environmental engineering. According to him, applied graduates have a competitive edge because they directly understand industry needs.
“In our ministry, there is no distinction between regular and applied bachelor’s graduates. What matters most is their competence and ability to adapt to field demands,” he noted.
He further emphasized the importance of ecological innovation in water management, including the construction of environmentally friendly dams and the rehabilitation of watershed areas.
Collaboration with universities, he said, is crucial to ensure infrastructure projects progress in harmony with nature conservation.
“We are not merely constructing dams or irrigation networks, but also maintaining river ecosystems to support environmental sustainability,” he added.
Meanwhile, UGM Vice Rector for Education and Teaching, Professor Wening Udasmoro, expressed her appreciation for SV UGM’s achievements over its 16-year journey.
She praised the college’s transformation from a diploma-based institution into a modern, adaptive model of applied education.
“Vocational College exemplifies how an educational institution can transform rapidly with a spirit of collaboration and progressiveness,” said Professor Udasmoro.
The vice-rector further emphasized that UGM’s strength lies not only in financial resources but also in the social capital of its academic community.
She encouraged leveraging social networks, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international partnerships to strengthen UGM’s global standing.
“UGM’s true strength lies in the social capital of its lecturers, staff, and students who mutually support one another and contribute to the nation,” she explained.
The professor added that substantial social capital can evolve into financial capital when managed through trust and collaboration. Academic and professional networks established through research, community engagement, and industry collaboration can generate sustainable economic value for the university.
“When social capital grows into financial capital, the impact extends beyond the institution; it also reinforces UGM’s contribution to national development,” she remarked.
Dean of SV UGM, Professor Agus Maryono, in his annual report, stated that the college now manages 22 applied bachelor’s programs, two applied master’s programs, and is in the process of establishing six new master’s and one doctoral program.
He described this as a major milestone in the development of internationally recognized applied education.
“We continue to promote impactful applied education through innovative research, teaching factories, and strategic partnerships with industry,” said Professor Maryono.
In addition to academic development, SV UGM achieved several notable milestones throughout 2025.
A total of 1,601 students participated in professional internships, 2,703 students received scholarships, and 50 percent of graduates secured employment before graduation.
“These achievements demonstrate the strong alignment between our curriculum and industry needs, reaffirming our commitment to preparing competent, character-driven, and impactful vocational graduates,” he emphasized.
In closing, Professor Maryono affirmed that SV UGM will continue to strengthen its role as a center of excellence for applied education focused on real-world solutions for the nation.
He believes the future of vocational education lies not only in technical expertise but also in innovation and cross-sector collaboration.
“We aim to make UGM Vocational College the driving force of applied education in Indonesia, a place where young professionals are not only skilled in their fields but also possess social empathy and a passion for nation-building,” he concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Salma
Photographer: Firsto Adi