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Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) welcomed a visit from Perum Bulog, Indonesia’s state-owned food logistics enterprise, on Friday (September 19, 2025). The agenda marked the beginning of a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening human resource development through vocational education.
Arwakhudin Widiarso, Corporate Secretary of Bulog, explained that the company’s long-term plan to establish a dedicated logistics university is currently on hold due to a government moratorium on new higher education institutions. “As an alternative, we are encouraged to start with establishing a polytechnic. Polije is among the best models in Indonesia and serves as a strong reference for us,” he stated.
He emphasized that Bulog requires specialized expertise—such as warehouse maintenance management—that is not yet available in conventional higher education programs. “Vocational education is more flexible, including at the D1 and D2 levels. Polytechnic institutions are more suitable to address these needs through curriculum partnerships, mentoring, and training,” he added. Arwakhudin also highlighted the contribution of Polije alumni, mentioning Aan Sugiarto, now serving as Operations Manager of Bulog East Java, as proof of their impact.
Polije’s Director, Saiful Anwar, S.TP., M.P., warmly welcomed the visit, underlining that the meeting also served as a platform for relationship-building between the two institutions. He highlighted Polije’s 37-year history, its six campuses across Indonesia, and its role in supporting the establishment of new vocational institutions, including South Papua State Polytechnic in Merauke. “Our mission is to prepare, guide, and support new institutions until they can operate independently. This is part of our national commitment to expanding access to education,” Saiful stressed.
Currently, Polije offers 40 study programs and serves approximately 13,000 students. The institution is recognized for its innovative Teaching Factory (Tijem Factor) model, which integrates hands-on industry practices into education—setting it apart from other higher education institutions. With Bulog’s interest in vocational collaboration, this partnership is expected to drive forward specialized education in logistics and strengthen Indonesia’s food security ecosystem.