Prof. Merry Muspita Dyah Utami Becomes First Female Professor at Polije

The Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) proudly announces the formal inauguration of Prof. Dr. Ir. Rr. Merry Muspita Dyah Utami, M.P., IPM as its latest professor—marking her as the first female to hold this distinguished position at the institution.

Born on February 1, 1968 in Tulungagung, Prof. Utami has grown through a distinguished academic and vocational career in the field of animal nutrition and vocational education. Her appointment signifies both a personal milestone and a broader institutional shift toward gender representation in faculty leadership.

Her academic credentials and professional achievements culminate in this occasion, where she becomes Polije’s sixth professor and the first female professor in the institution’s history. The ceremony underscores Polije’s commitment to recognising excellence in vocational higher education, as well as advancing opportunities for female academics in traditionally male-dominated technical sectors.

Prof. Utami’s area of expertise centers on livestock nutrition, feed formulation, and applied research relevant to the poultry and ruminant sectors. Her research portfolio includes studies on bio-active feed additives, functional food development for animal production, and environmental mitigation strategies. Through her work, she has contributed to bridging vocational pedagogy with industrially relevant research.

Her appointment as professor carries practical significance for Polije’s strategic agenda. It reinforces the institution’s emphasis on applied research, innovation in vocational programs, and the development of industry-ready graduates. As a female academic leader, she also provides a visible role model for women in STEM and vocational education at Polije and beyond.

In her remarks following the inauguration, Prof. Utami highlighted the importance of aligning vocational training with research and community service. She emphasised the value of hands-on experience, industry collaboration, and continuous innovation as key pillars for enhancing institutional performance and student competitiveness in the global scale.

Moving forward, Prof. Utami is expected to take on expanded leadership in shaping curriculum, fostering industry-academia linkages, supervising research initiatives, and mentoring emerging scholars and vocational educators. Her role is seen as instrumental in advancing Polije’s vision of becoming a leading vocational higher-education institution in Asia.

With Prof. Merry Muspita Dyah Utami now part of Polije’s senior academic leadership, the institution not only celebrates a historic academic achievement but also reaffirms its commitment to inclusive excellence, applied innovation, and preparing graduates for the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce.