Yogyakarta, May 5, 2025 – Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) once again reaffirmed its commitment to developing adaptive and impactful vocational education. This commitment was embodied through the Partnership Gathering and a strategic collaboration signing ceremony held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the Ballroom of the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) building, SV UGM. The event welcomed several industry partners participating in the SV UGM Career Days 2025.
The gathering began with the singing of Indonesia’s national anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” followed by the official signing of the collaboration agreement between SV UGM and PT PAL Indonesia. The signing marks a long-term synergy aimed at developing vocational education rooted in real industry practices.
Present at the event were the Dean of SV UGM, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng., Vice Dean for Partnership and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Endang Soelistiyowati, S.Pd., M.Pd., department heads, representatives from industry partners, and the SV UGM Partnership Office team.
In his speech, Prof. Agus Maryono highlighted SV UGM’s strength as a vocational school that spans across both science-technology (Saintek) and social-humanities (Soshum) disciplines. He noted that its productive-age human resources serve as a valuable asset for delivering forward-looking and applicable vocational education.
He emphasized that SV UGM’s vocational education is grounded in the Tri Dharma of Higher Education: education and teaching, research and development, and community service. These three pillars are carried out simultaneously to produce excellent graduates through an innovative ecosystem that supports hands-on industry experience, applied research, and job placement.
The TILC Building itself stands as a collaborative space between academia and industry, where applied research, student innovation, and entrepreneurship converge in a relevant learning ecosystem.
“Collaboration is the key to success. If our partners face challenges, we are here to help solve them together. This is how universities can make a real impact,” Prof. Agus stated.
A testimonial session followed, featuring Hartanto Dwi Kurniawan from PT United Tractors Tbk, Semarang Branch, who shared his experience collaborating with SV UGM since 2021 through the SOBAT (Sekolah Binaan) program. The session was moderated by Ms. Alfelia Nugky Permatasari, S.S., M.A. from the SV UGM Office of International Affairs, who outlined the collaboration process and its contributions to producing high-quality human resources.
An open discussion session further reinforced the importance of the link and match approach between vocational education and industry needs. Participants proposed that collaborative programs be designed on a periodic basis with joint evaluation. They also highlighted the need to redesign internship programs to provide meaningful learning experiences—beyond just fulfilling academic requirements.
Heads of departments at SV UGM expressed strong enthusiasm. The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Informatics (DTEDI) offered opportunities for collaboration in guest lectures, applied research, internships, and the development of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Meanwhile, the Department of Language, Arts, and Management (DBSMB) and the Department of Economics and Business (DEB) encouraged partnerships in scholarships, recruitment, and collaborative research. Representatives from the Vocational Development Center (VDC) also added potential collaborations in digital marketing, automation technology, and industry-driven guest lecture programs.
Through this event, SV UGM strengthens its position as a leader in resilient, relevant, and proactive vocational education that responds to workforce demands and national development goals. This partnership not only supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), but also promotes SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The event marked a concrete step toward building an innovative campus ecosystem through cross-sector collaboration—aligned with the spirit of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka, and focused on transformation and sustainable vocational education in Indonesia.