The Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, highlighted that the new approach to higher education aims to support national development by preparing skilled human resources and advancing research in science and technology to create useful innovations for society.
Higher education institutions’ research and innovations are expected to create opportunities for collaboration with industries, helping to drive national self-sufficiency and creating quality jobs.
This collaboration also aims to foster the growth of creative industries, build strong human resources in science and technology, and promote the development of industries based on natural resources.
Responding to the minister’s statement, Dr. Leo Indra Wardhana, a vocational education expert from UGM Vocational College (SV UGM), said that vocational education plays a vital role in preparing excellent human resources, as its main goal is to produce work-ready graduates.
“The curriculum at vocational colleges, such as at Universitas Gadjah Mada, is collaboratively designed with relevant industries to ensure alignment between education, skills, and the demands of the job market,” said Dr. Wardhana on Thursday (Feb. 27).
The Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at SV UGM explained that applied bachelor programs in vocational education are specifically tailored to specific professional fields.
Moreover, the curriculum is mainly focused on practical work and internships to ensure graduates are job-ready according to the industry’s needs.
“Generally, the curriculum is developed together with industries. So, when formulating the curriculum, two parties are involved: the academic program with its vision of knowledge and the industry that understands future skill requirements,” he explained.
He elaborated that although vocational college education emphasizes hands-on practice and internships, theoretical aspects are still comprehensively provided.
This is essential because knowledge is needed to ensure that graduates possess the required skills and can solve problems within their work field.
Additionally, internships at SV UGM are mandatory. Students are required to complete them for one to two semesters in industries relevant to their programs.
Similar to the academic bachelor programs, applied bachelor students at SV UGM generally complete their studies within four years.
“The purpose of internships is to bridge the gap between campus and industry; collaboration with the industrial sector is a necessity,” he clarified.
Nevertheless, Dr. Wardhana mentioned that the main challenges currently faced by SV UGM are the limitations in learning infrastructure and funding for laboratory upgrades.
“There is a gap in keeping up with the latest technological advancements, especially in procuring cutting-edge equipment,” he noted.
However, he emphasized that partnerships with industry offer a solution for addressing the limitations of upgrading laboratory facilities.
Through internship programs, particularly in large companies, students have the opportunity to learn using state-of-the-art equipment available in the industry, and lecturers are also given the chance to stay updated on the latest technological developments in the working world.
Regarding the potential for applied bachelor graduates to become entrepreneurs and create new jobs, Dr. Wardhana stressed that while vocational college graduates are primarily prepared to enter the workforce, it does not rule out the possibility that they could become entrepreneurs.
This is because SV UGM offers mandatory entrepreneurship courses for all programs to expose and train students to become entrepreneurs.
On the issue of research downstream to industry, Dr. Wardhana revealed that within higher education, there are challenges related to the gap between academia and industry, difficulties in commercializing research results, and limited infrastructure and funding.
For university research to align with industry needs, closer synergy between both parties is required.
Collaboration between campuses and industries must be strengthened to ensure effective research in the future, which includes establishing sustainable trust between researchers and industry stakeholders.
“I believe the government’s role as a facilitator is crucial in bridging this relationship by supporting the continuity of strategic programs, such as the Matching Fund and the Partnership Ecosystem Strengthening Program, which have proven to help strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Indonesia,” he concluded.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya