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Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) once again affirms its dedication to equitable access to higher education by announcing the establishment of its seventh off-main-campus program (PSDKU) in South Papua. This initiative is part of the national agenda supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) to bring vocational education to Indonesia’s frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions.
The new campus, to be launched in Merauke in 2026, reflects Polije’s strategic role in expanding inclusive, industry-oriented education across the archipelago. This follows the success of its sixth campus in Sabu Raijua, East Nusa Tenggara, which now serves as a reference model for implementing vocational education in remote areas.
Polije Director Saiful Anwar, S.TP., M.P., highlighted the importance of this development as part of a broader mission to bridge educational gaps and foster national integration.
“Polije continues to fulfill its mandate from Kemdiktisaintek by expanding the reach of higher education. God willing, our seventh campus in Merauke will further strengthen educational equity from Sabang to Merauke,” he stated.
He added that the presence of vocational campuses in remote regions is not just about access, but also about empowering local communities with practical skills, creating jobs, and supporting economic resilience.
“This is evidence that vocational education must exist across all corners of Indonesia—from Miangas in the north to Merauke in the east. Education must be present where people live and aspire,” Saiful emphasized.
The PSDKU program is designed to meet regional workforce demands through applied learning and industry-based curricula. It aims to produce job-ready graduates while stimulating local development and addressing skills shortages in key sectors.
With the spirit of “From Polije for Indonesia,” this expansion underscores Polije’s concrete contribution to national unity through education. The institution continues to lead by example in fulfilling the government’s vision of decentralized, inclusive higher education that reaches every part of the nation—ensuring no community is left behind in the country’s educational transformation. (rda)