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Politeknik Negeri Jember (POLIJE) continues to drive innovation in vocational education through the “TEFA Milk Business Analysis” workshop held on June 19, 2025. Organized in collaboration with Swisscontact, the workshop was attended by key institutional leaders including Vice Director II and Vice Director IV, the TEFA Milk Team, and the Business Development Division led by Mr. Refa and Mr. Mardiyanto.
Presented by Karima, the workshop highlighted the innovative concept behind the TEFA (Teaching Factory) Milk Lab—designed as a hybrid learning-commercialization hub that combines education, applied research, and community service within the dairy industry. The initiative targets vocational students, dairy SMEs, cooperatives, and agritech startups, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and industry collaboration.
One of the key innovations introduced was the integration of real-life case study development in partnership with the dairy sector. Through these collaborations, students and partners co-create curriculum and solve practical challenges related to milk processing, food safety, and product development. The TEFA Milk Lab also plans to deliver certified training modules and consultancy services for packaging, HACCP, and dairy business management.
“Through TEFA Milk, we are transforming our campus into a living lab where education meets real industry needs,” stated Agung Wahyono, Ph.D., Vice Director IV for Cooperation. “It is not only about training students—it’s about building a robust innovation ecosystem that supports rural cooperatives, startups, and government initiatives.”
The workshop also explored a multi-stakeholder partnership model that brings together public and private sectors for co-innovation. In addition to facility rentals for product prototyping, the TEFA Milk Lab will offer customized training for industry professionals, teachers, and farmers, including ToT (Training of Trainers) programs and thematic workshops on dairy entrepreneurship and technology.
To expand its outreach, the initiative is set to launch several innovative programs including “DairyLabPro” (a subscription-based R&D service), “TEFALearn” (certified modules on pasteurization and dairy operations), and “Microcert Dairy” (a micro-certification scheme in collaboration with local regulators).
In a special session during the workshop, participants discussed potential product innovations, such as student-led patent development in milk processing technology. They also explored edu-tourism programs in collaboration with local governments aimed at empowering women in rural areas through dairy entrepreneurship.
The TEFA Milk platform is also designed to support continuous upskilling and reskilling of human resources in the dairy industry. These training initiatives will cater to both new entrants and experienced workers, ensuring that the industry keeps pace with technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.
By integrating education, research, and innovation, TEFA Milk is expected to become a national model for vocational excellence—bridging gaps between academia and industry, and nurturing the next generation of agri-food innovators in Indonesia. (rda)