Jakarta, July 1, 2025 — The Dean of Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), Professor Dr. Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, attended the Coordinating Meeting on Vocational Education and Industry Partnerships organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK) at its main office in Jakarta. This meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration among the business and industrial sectors, higher education institutions, and government in supporting the development of national human resources.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Manpower, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), state polytechnics, vocational colleges from various universities, industry representatives, Chinese academic institutions, the Indonesia Business Council, and the Regional Vocational Coordination Team.

The background of this meeting was the projected increase in unemployment from 5.0 percent in 2025 to 5.1 percent in 2026, according to data from the International Monetary Fund. In response, cross-sectoral collaboration is seen as crucial to ensure that Indonesia’s human resources are prepared to face both global and national challenges. Deputy for the Coordination of Quality Education and Religious Moderation at Kemenko PMK, Ojat Darojat, also emphasized a major challenge in the mismatch between graduate skills and actual industry needs. “Data from APINDO shows that 70 percent of ICT companies struggle to find suitable workers. This is a serious warning. It means we must systematically strengthen the link and match between education and industry,” Ojat stated.

During the forum, SV UGM shared that in Yogyakarta, a Partnership Consortium has been established through the Ecosystem Strengthening Program for Innovation Development Based on Regional Potential, initiated by LPDP and Mitras DUDI since 2023. In addition, the Dean of SV UGM, Professor Agus Maryono, stressed the importance of enhancing vocational education through internship programs, industrial training, practical work experiences, and recruitment schemes aligned with industry demands. SV UGM also proposed increasing vocational capacity at the university, high school, and vocational school levels to improve the contribution of human resources to various development sectors.

This aligns with the views expressed by Kemenko PMK, which emphasized the need for a more active role from the industry in vocational education. Collaboration between polytechnics, vocational schools, and the business sector remains uneven, with only around 30 percent of SMKs and polytechnics having formal partnerships. Industry participation is considered essential not only for internships but also for applied research and curriculum development. “Industry cannot just sit still and wait for graduates to be job-ready. They must be part of the process,” Ojat asserted.

SV UGM reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the business and industrial sectors as well as local governments in providing integrated education and training across different levels. SV UGM also continues to engage in coordination meetings with the Regional Vocational Coordination Team (TKDV) in Yogyakarta. Furthermore, SV UGM remains open to international cooperation through training programs, applied research initiatives, and double degree programs with foreign universities. Ongoing international collaborations include partnerships with Liu Gong, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Jiangsu University of Technology, and Chengdu Textile College.

In its mission to develop human capital, SV UGM is guided by the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that human development balances access to vocational education and skills training with the needs of the job market. This includes fostering educational partnerships with industry to enhance graduate readiness for employment, promoting inclusive economic growth, strengthening technological innovation and capacity, and building multi-stakeholder collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector.

Writer: Humas SV UGM

SDGs: 4, 8, 9 dan 17

Meta Description: The Dean of the UGM Vocational School attended the National Coordination Meeting of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture to strengthen the synergy between industry, universities, and the government in vocational human resource development. SV UGM also presented regional partnership consortiums and international collaborations with campuses in China.

Tags: SV UGM, Kemenko PMK, Pendidikan Vokasi, Perguruan Tinggi, Kolaborasi Industri, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 17, Sinergi Industri, Dunia Usaha Dunia Industri Dunia Kerja (DUDIKA), Konsorsium Kemitraan DIY, Tim Koordinasi Daerah Vokasi, Kerja Sama Internasional, Pendidikan Berkelanjutan, Double Degree, Magang Industri, Riset Terapan, Penguatan SDM Vokasi

Yogyakarta, July 1, 2025 — Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Jiangsu University of Technology (JSUT), the Dean of Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), Professor Dr. Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng., along with Dr. Endang Soelistiyowati, M.Pd., Vice Dean for Cooperation and Alumni, welcomed delegations from JSUT at SV UGM Teaching Industry Learning Center. The delegations consisted of the university’s rector, deans, and faculty members.

The visit continued with an academic tour to several departments within SV UGM, including the Department of Foreign Languages, Arts, and Culture Management, the Department of Economics and Business, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Informatics.

During the meeting, both institutions agreed to strengthen their collaboration in vocational education, applied research, and student exchange programs. A key point of agreement was JSUT’s support for the establishment of a Mandarin Language Study Program at SV UGM. To support this initiative, JSUT will send mandarin native speaker lecturers to assist with the teaching process. The two institutions also agreed on a double degree program in the field of Tourism, in which students will study for three years at SV UGM and one year at JSUT, as part of efforts to internationalize vocational education. Furthermore, the collaboration will focus on applied research and student exchange programs in tourism, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and informatics, as well as economics and business.

In addition to the aforementioned areas, both parties expressed interest in exploring future cooperation in renewable energy, particularly in support of Indonesia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). China’s achievements in renewable energy development offer valuable insights that could contribute to strengthening technological capacity and education in this field in Indonesia. As a follow-up, a virtual meeting has been scheduled for mid-July 2025 to further discuss technical implementation and collaboration mechanisms.

The visit concluded with a lunch at Padang Sederhana Restaurant, attended by the JSUT delegation, UGM leaders, as well as leaders of SV UGM. The Chinese guests expressed their appreciation and satisfaction for the warm hospitality and the strong commitment shown by SV UGM in building concrete, inclusive, and sustainable international partnerships.

Writer: Humas SV UGM

Yogyakarta, June 26, 2025 – The Vocational College of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) hosted the External Monitoring and Evaluation (Monev) of the 2025 Berdikari Partnership Catalyst Grant, a program supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) through the Science and Technology Cluster (Saintek), in collaboration with the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP). The event took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Room 201 of the TILC Building, SV UGM, bringing together key stakeholders engaged in this partnership-based research initiative.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng., Dean of Sekolah Vokasi UGM, who expressed his gratitude for the achievement of two SV UGM research teams that successfully secured this national grant. He emphasized the importance of research that delivers direct benefits to society. “We are proud that the research being developed does not stop in the laboratory but addresses real community needs. This proves that SV UGM remains committed to producing science- and technology-based solutions that are both practical and sustainable,” said Prof. Agus. He further highlighted that this achievement marks a significant milestone in strengthening research and innovation capacity within vocational education, an area often underestimated in research fields.

Meanwhile, Ir. Suhadi Lili, M.T.I., a reviewer representing the expert panel, noted that reviewers not only serve as evaluators but also act as representatives of an investor’s perspective. He underlined the importance of sustainability in multidisciplinary research. “Research should not end at the development stage. What matters is how the product or innovation can be marketed, scaled up, and managed with the right business model. We must prepare strategies for marketing and sustainability so that the nation’s investment does not go to waste,” he stated. He also stressed the need for a clear marketing management plan for tools still under development.

During the presentation session, Dr. Eng. Agustinus Winarno, S.T., M.Eng., leader of the project Empowering Road Infrastructure with Intelligent Insights, shared the progress of his team’s research, which focuses on empowering communities in road maintenance using digital intelligence. He noted that low public awareness in reporting road damage through official channels was a key driver of the project. “People are more likely to post road damage on social media rather than report it to the authorities. This limits the potential contribution of village communities to infrastructure management,” he explained. By employing spatial and participatory data-based technology, the project aims to encourage greater community involvement in sustainable road infrastructure maintenance. Reviewers provided technical feedback, including the need to enhance accuracy to prevent duplicate detections in the automated reporting system.

At the same session, Dr. Eng. Yosephus Ardean Kurnianto Prayitno, S.T., M.Eng., leader of the FASTAN Project (Fabrication of Smart-Agri Facilities for Small-Scale Farmers), presented his team’s progress. The project aims to develop small-scale smart farming facilities that can be directly applied by farmers to improve horticultural crop efficiency. Currently, the project is in the monitoring-to-harvest phase, with extended research exploring the potential of high-quality melon seedlings that offer strong market value, short growing periods, and simple maintenance. Reviewers encouraged the team to expand this research to other economically valuable crops such as chili.

As part of the event, Prof. Agus Maryono accompanied Prof. Dr. Eng. Yudi Darma, M.Si., Director of Science and Technology Dissemination and Utilization at Kemendiktisaintek, on a visit to one of the Civil Engineering Department laboratories at SV UGM, which serves as a primary hub for the research projects. The visit aimed to review facilities and support the downstreaming of research outcomes to better align with community needs.

This External Monitoring activity not only served as an evaluation forum but also as a constructive dialogue space among academics, government, and research end-users, including farmers who directly benefit from the program. It is hoped that the 2025 Berdikari Partnership Catalyst Grant will foster a collaborative ecosystem of applied research, oriented toward real solutions and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yogyakarta, June 24, 2025 — The Vocational College of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to expanding international partnerships through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Implementation Agreement with Melody Publishing Co., Ltd., a leading publishing company from Taiwan. The signing ceremony took place on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM (WIB) in Room 201, TILC Building, SV UGM.

The event was attended by several officials and academics from SV UGM, including Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng., Dean of the Vocational College, Dr. Endang Soelistiyowati, S.Pd., M.Pd., Vice Dean for Collaboration and Alumni, Alfelia Nugky Permatasari, S.S., M.A., Manager of the International Relations Office, and Dr. Nuryuda Irdana, S.P., M.M., Head of the Department of Languages, Arts, and Cultural Management. Representing Melody Publishing was Lee Tsung Ming, EMBA, along with Prof. Yinghuei Chen, who also represented Asia University and plays an active role in the collaboration network.

This partnership is particularly focused on the International Student Internship Program, designed for final-year students of SV UGM. Through this program, students will gain professional work experience in Taiwan in fields such as information technology, graphic design, and English language teaching for children. Conducted in an international work environment, the program requires participants to demonstrate strong English proficiency as a key prerequisite.

Selected students will receive a range of benefits, including a monthly allowance of USD 950–1,000, a one-way flight ticket to Taiwan, and the opportunity to earn transferable academic credits recognized by SV UGM. Beyond hands-on work experience, the program also provides students with valuable opportunities to build international networks that will enhance their future professional careers.

The internship program is offered in two duration schemes: a six-month placement (either February–July or August–January) or a full-year placement (February–January of the following year). The selection process will be carried out by each department under the coordination of SV UGM, taking into account both academic performance and foreign language proficiency.

The signing of this agreement marks an important milestone for SV UGM in advancing the internationalization of vocational education and preparing graduates who are excellent, adaptive, and competitive in the global job market. Strategic collaborations such as this are expected to serve as a model of cross-border cooperation, delivering tangible impacts in enhancing graduate quality and broadening the horizons of Indonesian students.

Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM), in collaboration with ClarityEnglish, successfully held an international seminar titled “Developing Students’ 5th Skill in English: Educational Technology & ‘In-Depth’ Learning in EFL” on May 8, 2025. The event brought together over 30 institutional representatives, including universities, schools, and organizations engaged in English language education.

The seminar opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono, IPM., ASEAN Eng., Dean of SV UGM, who stated, “At Sekolah Vokasi UGM, we are committed to ensuring that students don’t just learn English, but also think critically and use language as a tool to express ideas. Collaborations like this help us create learning environments that support that mission.”

Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, S.S., M.Hum., DEA., Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching at Universitas Gadjah Mada, also delivered remarks and officially inaugurated the seminar. “It’s essential for educators to build motivating learning environments that open space for global issues and idea exchange. We value and support this collaboration,” she said.

Also attending the event were Dr. Endang Soelistiyowati, S.Pd., M.Pd., Vice Dean for Partnership and Alumni Affairs at SV UGM; Ms. Puiyee Chan, Managing Director of ClarityEnglish; and Ms. Ervida, Director of PT Solusi Educational Technology.

One of the key moments was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Sekolah Vokasi UGM and PT Solusi Educational Technology, the official Indonesian partner of ClarityEnglish. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment to develop joint research, training, and technological solutions for the future of English education.

Following the signing, two plenary sessions were held, moderated by Ms. Alfelia Nugky Permatasari, S.S., M.A., Head of the International Affairs Unit at SV UGM. The first session, “AI for Language Teaching: Enhancing, Not Replacing Educators”, was presented by Dr. Anuncius Gumawang Jati, M.A., from Institut Teknologi Bandung and President of iTELL. He emphasized how artificial intelligence can support and enhance the role of educators in language instruction.

The second session, titled “Empowering Learners: The Role of Self-Regulated Learning in Enhancing English Language Proficiency,” was delivered by Martin Moore, M.A., Project Manager at ClarityEnglish. He discussed the importance of self-directed learning in developing English proficiency, drawing on global best practices.

After a short break, the seminar continued with two more engaging sessions. The third, “Informing or Engaging the Learner?—The Role of Literature in Language Teaching,” was presented by Prof. Yinghuei Chen of Asia University, Taiwan. He highlighted how literature can create meaningful learning experiences and enrich students’ language and cultural understanding. The session was moderated by Ms. Erlin Estiana Yuanti, M.A., Head of Public Relations and ICT at SV UGM.

The final session, Clarity Sharing Session, was led by Ms. Puiyee Chan, who shared a case study on implementing technology-supported self-access learning in Indonesia. She also introduced the Clarity Suite as a personalized English learning solution and featured a student testimonial from Alya Shalsabillah Febri K., an English Applied Bachelor Program student at SV UGM.

This international seminar marked a significant milestone in SV UGM’s mission to build global academic networks and foster meaningful dialogue around educational technology in English language teaching. By bringing together educators, academics, and industry professionals, the event laid the groundwork for future initiatives that integrate innovative tech with deep learning strategies.

Written by: Irfan Rahadian Adriyanto

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Kulon Progo, May 6, 2025 — The Green House Field Research Center (FRC) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a visit from the team of UGM’s Center for Agrotechnology Innovation (PIAT) to initiate a strategic collaboration in the distribution and marketing of Green House’s premium melon products through PIAT UGM’s integrated agricultural e-commerce platform, Nutrifresh (https://nutrifresh.piatugm.id/shop).

The visiting PIAT UGM team, led by Mr. Septian and composed of four marketing staff members, was warmly received by Putri Rousan Nabila, S.T., M.T., Head of the Center of Excellence (CoE) for Smart Agriculture FRC UGM. During the visit, the PIAT team observed firsthand the cultivation process of high-quality melons at the Green House. As part of product familiarization, the team was given product samples to taste. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the melon’s sweetness, freshness, and health benefits, making it a compelling choice for Nutrifresh consumers.

The Green House FRC UGM expressed strong support for this collaboration and is optimistic that the synergy with PIAT UGM through Nutrifresh will expand market access for their premium agricultural products. This partnership is expected to benefit both parties while also providing consumers with easier access to high-quality, farm-fresh produce directly from its source.

Writer: FRC Team

Sleman, May 16, 2025 — In support of strengthening industry-based vocational education, the Center of Excellence (CoE) Cocoa of the Field Research Center (FRC) at Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a National Webinar entitled “Strategies for Implementation and Governance of Teaching Factory in Higher Education”, hosted via Zoom Meeting. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goals related to equitable access to education and education for sustainability.

The event gathered over 30 participants, including lecturers, study program managers, learning center coordinators, and educators from various universities across Indonesia. The webinar was officially opened by Dr. Wiryanta, S.T., M.T., Vice Dean for Research and Community Engagement of Sekolah Vokasi UGM, who emphasized the importance of integrating teaching and production processes to produce vocational graduates who are competent and industry-ready.

Two keynote speakers were featured in the main session, offering both strategic and technical insights. The first speaker, Dr. Fajriyati Mas’ud, S.T.P., M.Si. (Coordinator of the Applied Bachelor Program in Industrial Chemical Technology at Politeknik Ujung Pandang), presented on “Integrating Teaching Factory into Problem-Based Learning (PBL).” She explained that combining TeFa and PBL creates a more contextual and challenging learning environment, while also enhancing students’ soft skills such as problem-solving and teamwork.

The second speaker, Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Darmawan, M.P. (Director of Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Pangkajene Kepulauan for the 2016–2025 term), delivered a presentation on “Teaching Factory Governance and Supporting Documentation.” He underscored the importance of formal documentation, such as adherence to SNI standards and ISO-based business processes, in ensuring effective Teaching Factory implementation.

During the Q&A session, participants actively engaged in discussions, asking practical questions about sustainable and industry-oriented TeFa management. This interactive dialogue allowed for the exchange of experiences and best practices among educators and institutional leaders.

“This webinar offered many insightful and applicable ideas, especially regarding cocoa-based Teaching Factory development and the strategic steps needed to fully integrate TeFa into the curriculum,” said Sang Norma Lintang A., S.T., M.T., Coordinator of the CoE Cocoa FRC UGM.

Through this activity, Sekolah Vokasi UGM aims to encourage more higher education institutions to develop effective, professional, and industry-relevant Teaching Factories. This aligns with the SDG goal of promoting inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The webinar also highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners, and government bodies to build an ecosystem that fosters industrial diversification and innovation in vocational education. Such cooperation is essential to create a strong framework that enhances access to education and prepares students for the challenges of the future workforce.

In conclusion, this initiative by CoE Cocoa FRC UGM marks a significant step toward implementing sustainable educational practices in Indonesia, ensuring that vocational training remains not only relevant but also responsive to the evolving demands of industry.

Kulon Progo, May 9, 2025 — The Center of Excellence (CoE) FabLab Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM, held a dissemination event to share the outcomes of their community-based research and engagement activities. The event took place at the Conference Room of the FRC Building, Sekolah Vokasi UGM, and marked a continuation of the successful Fab Camp Challenge program—an incubation platform for interdisciplinary student ideas and local community innovation.

This collaborative program integrates technological approaches with socio-cultural insights to address pressing environmental challenges in the Anthropocene era, while strengthening community involvement in developing contextual and practical sustainable solutions.

With the theme “Voices from the Community: A Healthy Environment in the Anthropocene Era,” the program targeted four villages in Kulon Progo—Bugel, Mlarangan Asri, Beji, and Klewonan (Triharjo)—each with distinct ecological characteristics and environmental challenges. The initiative engaged diverse community groups including housewives, youth, village officials, and local innovators, with strong support from Bapperida Kulon Progo (the Regional Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency) and other relevant technical departments.

Prof. Dr. Sabine Troeger, a visiting scholar from FIB UGM, emphasized the importance of transdisciplinary approaches in understanding the complex relationship between humans and nature. Using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods, the research highlighted community-led innovations such as organic farming greenhouses in Bugel, solar panel initiatives in Mlarangan Asri, maggot-based organic waste processing in Beji, and waste banks in Klewonan, all of which demonstrate active citizen participation in responding to environmental change.

FabLab SV UGM contributed through technical assistance, tool design, and capacity-building efforts. Their innovations included user-friendly technologies such as the Maggot Box and renewable energy systems, aiming not only to promote environmental sustainability but also to unlock opportunities for local entrepreneurship and green economy development.

“We believe that integrating social innovation with appropriate technology creates sustainable impact—especially when communities are engaged from the beginning,” said Dr. Eng. Yosephus Ardean Kurnianto Prayitno, S.T., M.Eng., program coordinator from Sekolah Vokasi UGM.

The outcomes of this initiative will be compiled into policy recommendations to support community-based regional development and serve as a reference for refining future community engagement and research programs grounded in real-world needs in the Anthropocene context.

Beyond dissemination, the event also served as a collaborative learning platform, strengthening ties between interdisciplinary students and local communities. This initiative further reinforces UGM’s role as a “university for the people,” committed to addressing contemporary challenges through science and technology that prioritize social and environmental sustainability.

Kulon Progo, May 6, 2025 – The Green House Field Research Center (FRC) of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) recently welcomed a visit from the General Manager of Swiss-Belhotel Kulon Progo. The visit aimed to explore strategic partnership opportunities in the field of edu-tourism, envisioned as an added-value experience for hotel guests. During the visit, the General Manager toured the Green House FRC UGM facilities and observed firsthand the melon cultivation process, which stands as one of the center’s signature programs. He was warmly welcomed by Ari Kustanto, the FRC manager, accompanied by Arif Firman, head of the greenhouse team.

“I’m very interested in collaborating on Green House based edu-tourism experiences for guests staying at Swiss-Belhotel,” said Denny Jatnika, General Manager of Swiss-Belhotel Kulon Progo.

Under the proposed partnership, hotel guests will be invited to take part in an educational tour at Green House FRC UGM, where they can explore the modern facilities and learn directly about the innovative melon farming methods in place. Visitors will also get the chance to pick and purchase melons straight from the greenhouse, offering an unique agricultural experience.

This initiative has been positively received by the Green House management team. While Green House FRC UGM is primarily a hub for research and cultivation, it also holds strong potential to become a compelling edu-tourism destination, especially in the Kulon Progo area. The collaboration between Green House FRC UGM and Swiss-Belhotel Kulon Progo is expected not only to enhance the guest experience but also to introduce the wider public to modern, innovative agricultural practices.

This partnership reflects the synergy between academia and the tourism industry in supporting regional development. It stands as a strong example of how educational institutions and businesses can come together to create meaningful, community-based tourism offerings.

Written by: FRC Team

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.