Yogyakarta, July 14, 2025 — Students from Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) have officially launched SWARA (Smart Wukirsari Agrofarming), a strategic initiative to promote community-based food security through an adaptive and applicable integrated technology approach.

This program is part of the Program Penguatan Kapasitas Organisasi Kemahasiswaan (Student Organization Capacity Strengthening Program, or PPK Ormawa), funded by the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs under the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Republic of Indonesia (KEMDIKTISAINTEK). Through SWARA, SV UGM students implement a modern integrated farming model based on aquaponics, combining fish farming and crop cultivation in a single, sustainable ecosystem.

The key innovations in this program include the application of sensor technology for automatic water quality monitoring, technical training in aquaponics farming and post-harvest processing, and community mentoring to develop economically viable agricultural enterprises. The program focuses on empowering women from the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) group in Wukirsari Village, Imogiri Subdistrict, Bantul Regency who play a central role in household food security and serve as agents of social transformation at the village level.

Running from July to November 2025, the program integrates not only food production but also education, environmental sustainability, and local economic empowerment. The aquaponics learning center established during the program serves as an open community hub. In parallel, hands-on training in harvesting, post-harvest processing, and organic waste composting encourages the adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

In addition, the student team initiated the development of an aquaponics starter pack, produced and marketed by local residents. This innovation aims to create new entrepreneurship opportunities based on modern agriculture and foster an entrepreneurial spirit within the village community. The establishment of this community-based agribusiness marks the first step toward building an independent and sustainable agricultural value chain.

SWARA is implemented by a team of 15 students from various majors at SV UGM, all of whom were selected through a competitive process from university to national level. With strong support from faculty advisors and student organizations, the team successfully secured official funding from the Ministry, in recognition of the relevance and impact of their innovative proposal.

By combining appropriate technology with active community participation, SWARA is expected to become a real-life model of how collaboration between students and local residents can bring about sustainable positive change. This program is not merely a short-term initiative but serves as a prototype for a replicable village innovation model that can be applied in other regions with similar potential.

“We believe that change begins with small steps, taken with sincerity by people who care. From the village we move, with the community we grow, and for Indonesia we take our stride,” said a representative from the SWARA SV UGM team.

Writer: Febriana Trisnawati

Yogyakarta, July 9, 2025 – Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada hosted the official opening ceremony of the World Friends Korea PAS Youth Volunteer 2025 program at the Ballroom of the Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC), SV UGM. This program reflects a continued commitment to strengthening cultural ties between Indonesia and South Korea through the exchange of knowledge, language, and the arts.

Yogyakarta, July 1, 2025 — Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) welcomed an academic visit from the Vocational Faculty of Universitas Negeri Malang (FV UM) for a consultation and discussion on developing business units to support income-generating strategies. The meeting took place on July 1, 2025, on the 8th floor of the Center of Excellence (CoE) Teaching Industry Learning Center (TILC) SV UGM. The event was marked by a warm and collaborative atmosphere between two leading vocational education institutions in Indonesia.

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.

International Symposium on Technology for Sustainability (ISTS) is an International Sympsoium for College and University Students which firstly organized by National Institute of Technology (NIT) Japan. Each year, since 2010, ISTS has been being held by Asia-Pacific Countries in turn. In 2016, the 6^th ISTS is going to be held in Indonesia by appointing Vocational School UGM as the distinguished host.

Despite of the symposium agenda, ISTS 2016 which takes 8 days (4 – 12 October 2016) in Yogyakarta also invites the participants to get involved in both indoor and outdoor activities. They are The 2^nd  International Students Seminar on Leadership and Networking (ISSLN), company visit, study case in Poncosari Village, leadership experience and games in Borobudur Temple, and many others.

Victorio Fikgi Amartha (Viktor), a student of Vocational College UGM appointed as the chairperson of Student Committee of ISTS 2016, said that this event is promoted for college and university students not only limited to Indonesian students but also for international students from overseas, especially Asia Pacific region.

“Not only students from Vocational College UGM, but all students from Indonesia and from overseas are encouraged to take part in ISTS 2016,” Viktor explains.

Furthermore, Viktor added that there would be partial scholarships granted to 50 early bird participants applying before April 30^th, 2016.

For more detailed information, applicants shall contact Office of International Affairs (OIA) Vocational College UGM by (+62 274) 541020 or Student Committee (+6287712354265).