Vocational Higher Education in Search of Form

Kompas, page 11

Vocational higher education that has long flourished in universities, institutes, colleges, and academies continue to search for shape in the midst of commitment to revitalization of vocational education in Indonesia. The development of vocational education in academic higher education is still diverse.

Chairman of the Vocational Higher Education Forum Indonesia (FPTVI) Sigit Pranowo Hadiwardoyo on the sidelines of a seminar and a national working meeting at the Udayana University Campus, Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday (9/2), said that in addition to the polytechnics, diploma programs at a university, institute, college, and academy (unista) that have evolved over many years also have the potential to support the strengthening of vocational education.

According to Sigit, there is greater desire for PT to separate the diploma programs spread under faculty and integrate them into specialized vocational institutions equivalent to faculty. This makes the development of resources and learning in vocational programs as applied programs. Through FPTVI which now comprise of 78 unista members, the development of competency-based curriculum, aligning similar vocational programs, lecturers who have experience in industry and is capable of conducting applied research; the establishment of certification bodies, until new student entrance selection which are appropriate to vocational fields continue to be prepared.

Support for developing vocational education was offered by Germany with the delivery of professors, experts, and company leaders to assist with the management of PT which is increasingly qualified. Chief Ambassador Senior Expert Service (SES) in Indonesia Adam Pamma said, Germany proved vocational schools as one determinant of the success of industry and the economy and is the third largest patent registries in the world.

At SES there are 12,500 university professors, experts, and practitioners who are ready to share to a number of countries, including Indonesia. The dual system of education in Germany developed with the model of two days on campus and three days in industry. There is also the first four semesters in industry, then continued on campus.