POLITEKNIK NEGERI JEMBER LECTURERS IMPROVE COMPETENCE AT MELBOURNE POLYTECHNIC TO FACE INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

Melbourne, Australia – The 2024 Vocational Lecturer Competency Improvement Non-Degree Program held at Melbourne Polytechnic for two weeks became a valuable experience for Vigo Dewangga, a lecturer at Jember State Polytechnic. The program is designed to increase the capacity of vocational educators to be able to answer the needs of the industrial world, especially in the hospitality sector.

In the program, participants not only learn theory, but also undergo practical training under the guidance of industry professionals. Vigo Dewangga said that this opportunity has given him new insights that are very relevant to the development of modern industry.

“As an educator, this program is very useful. I not only gained theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills that can be directly applied in the hospitality industry,” he said.

Furthermore, Vigo emphasized the importance of hands-on field experience as one of the keys to producing vocational graduates who are ready to compete in the global job market. In this program, he learned various international standards that apply in the hospitality and tourism industry, ranging from excellent service to effective operational management.

In addition, the program also gives lecturers the opportunity to discuss and share experiences with other participants from various vocational education institutions in Indonesia. This broadens their horizons on best practices that can be applied in their respective institutions.

“I hope that I can share this experience with students at Jember State Polytechnic, especially in improving their competencies to be better prepared to face the challenges of the world of work,” added Vigo.

Vigo Dewangga’s participation in this program is one form of Jember State Polytechnic’s commitment in supporting the improvement of the quality of lecturers and the relevance of vocational education to the needs of the industrial world. The Director of Jember State Polytechnic also appreciates the participation of lecturers in international programs like this, because it is expected to have a positive impact on curriculum development and the quality of graduates.

Through collaboration with foreign educational institutions such as Melbourne Polytechnic, Politeknik Negeri Jember further strengthens its position as one of the leading polytechnics in Indonesia which is oriented towards global competitiveness.

This program reflects the importance of synergy between education and the world of work in producing quality graduates. Politeknik Negeri Jember hopes to continue sending more lecturers to participate in similar programs in the future, in order to create innovation and increase the competitiveness of vocational education at the international level. (rda)