Bangkok, Thailand, November 1 2024 – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM. ASEAN.Eng., Dean of Sekolah Vokasi, Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), paid an official visit to the SEAMEO Secretariat in Bangkok to strengthen cooperation in the field of vocational education, especially in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Visit of Prof. Agus was warmly welcomed by SEAMEO Secretariat officials. On this occasion, he conveyed greetings from SV UGM and his enthusiasm for exploring opportunities for collaboration between the SEAMEO network and UGM in developing vocational education. Prof. Agus introduced the study program and strengths of SV UGM which is known as a leading institution in vocational education in Indonesia. With a variety of applied study programs, SV UGM focuses on developing skilled professionals who are ready to meet industry needs. SV UGM is committed to producing quality graduates who combine academic knowledge with practical skills, community service and research.
During the discussion, Prof. Agus proposed several potential areas of collaboration between SV UGM and SEAMEO, including research in the form of collaborative research projects with a focus on practical applications that are beneficial to the Southeast Asian region, education in the form of joint education programs, lecturer and student exchanges, as well as knowledge sharing workshops for improving learning experiences, community service in the form of initiatives that address the needs of local communities, including technical training, service programs, and social innovation projects. Prof. Agus also asked for permission to contact and collaborate with all SEAMEO centers to explore various joint initiatives in Southeast Asia. It is hoped that this collaboration will be able to create more programs that will have a positive impact on the region.
The SEAMEO Secretariat welcomed the proposal from Prof. Agus and expressed his support for building a strong partnership. Both parties agreed to continue discussions regarding the potential for collaboration in line with the common goal of improving vocational education and community development in Southeast Asia. Sekolah Vokasi UGM and the SEAMEO Secretariat affirm their commitment to supporting regional collaboration through vocational training, research and community service. This visit marks an important step in strengthening cooperation in the field of vocational education, with the hope of creating innovative programs that suit regional needs and strengthening the skills of the Southeast Asian workforce.
Visit of Prof. Agus ended with positive hopes for meaningful collaboration between SV UGM and SEAMEO, which will contribute to improving the quality of vocational education and community development in the region.