POLIJE’S TEFA DAIRY UNIT POSITIONED AS A LEARNING CENTER THROUGH STRATEGIC DISCUSSION WITH P4MP AND S4C

In a strategic effort to strengthen the role of the Teaching Factory (TEFA) at Politeknik Negeri Jember (POLIJE) as a center for practical learning, a comprehensive discussion was held between the Center for Learning Development and Education Quality Assurance (P4MP) and the TEFA Dairy Product Team. The meeting focused on aligning the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of TEFA with the vision of transforming it into a learning center rather than a mass production unit.

The TEFA Dairy Unit at POLIJE is uniquely positioned, as it is currently the only TEFA in Indonesia producing dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese—products that are considered high-risk yet have large market potential and relatively low competition. With this strategic advantage, POLIJE aims to establish its TEFA as a national reference point and a dynamic learning center, particularly for students and stakeholders in the fields of food technology and agriculture.

During the discussion, P4MP emphasized that TEFA’s role should not be limited to producing goods for commercial purposes, but rather as a structured environment that simulates real industry workflows, enabling students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to profitable and innovative outcomes.

Ratih, Head of P4MP, stated, “This collaboration is already in line with POLIJE’s vision and mission. P4MP has received directives from the leadership to integrate curriculum workflows, TEFA, innovation, and SOPs in a synergistic manner to generate impactful educational outputs.”

This initiative is also in harmony with the intervention plans of Strengthening Polytechnic as a Center of Excellence, making it a significant and timely step for POLIJE. The approach mirrors global trends in vocational education that combine practical, industry-based learning with entrepreneurial orientation.

Benaya Victorious Jaya from S4C added, “This concept of TEFA as a learning center is a collaboration between POLIJE, S4C, and BFH-HAFL Swiss. BFH will support the development of TEFA as a learning center by providing model examples and SOPs that can be adapted to the local wisdom of Indonesia.”

As the institution continues to grow, P4MP is committed to regularly innovating and adjusting the curriculum and operational procedures to ensure that the educational process at POLIJE is in line with the dynamic TEFA workflow as a learning center. This alignment is expected to create a robust ecosystem that not only enhances student competencies but also contributes to the institution’s financial and academic sustainability. (rda)