Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) opens new study program of Diploma 4 (D IV) for Regional Economic Planning which is managed by Vocational School UGM. It will be opened this year to accept as many as 30 new students. Dean of Vocational School, Wikan Sakarinto, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., said this study program aims to fulfill the needs of workforce on regional economic planning in Indonesia. “In accordance with the archipelagic condition of Indonesia, we need up to 111 thousands of workforce,” said Wikan after signing the cooperation among Vocational School, Center for Development, Education, and Training of National Development Planning Institution, and Indonesian Government Planner Association on Monday (27/3) at University Club UGM.
Wikan said this study program will open writing test for students admission. They plan to increase the number of new students every year. According to Wikan, this study program will teach practices more than theories. “As high as 60 percent of the course are on practices and the rest is theory,” said Wikan.
For long term, Wikan said Vocational School UGM will establish many new study programs of D IV and remove D III study programs gradually to enhance the quality of its diploma graduates.
UGM Vice Rector of Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc. gives positive response to the opening of this study program. According to Suratman, this study program will produce graduates with reliable and competent regional economic planning skills. “If our smart planning is good enough, there won’t be social gap among regions,” said Suratman.
According to Suratman, Indonesia has to have a better regional planning which is in accordance with each region’s characters. Urban and village planning does not suppose to depend on planning model which had been implemented in other countries.
“Planning model based on local wisdom should be encouraged so it can become Indonesian development mozaic,” he added.