VALERIA: Transforming Vocational Higher Education in Indonesia &#8211; Insights from Phase 2

VALERIA: Transforming Vocational Higher Education in Indonesia - Insights from Phase 2

The second phase of VALERIA (Vocational Higher Education Transformation in Indonesia) was successfully held at the Grand Jatra Hotel in Pekanbaru from May 26-30, 2024. This important event focused on enhancing the leadership capacity of vocational higher education leaders in Indonesia, with the aim of promoting transformative leadership in the country’s vocational institutions. Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through the DIES National Multiplication Training Program and managed by the University of Potsdam, Germany, the program was a collaboration between Politeknik Caltex Riau (PCR) and Universitas Ciputra. VALERIA brought together 24 leaders from 23 Indonesian vocational higher education institutions from Aceh to Makassar. These participants engaged in leadership best practices, shared valuable experiences, and collaboratively sought solutions to various management challenges in the vocational education sector.

Key Highlights and Expert Contributions

The training committee, comprising Eddy Yusuf from Universitas Ciputra, Istianah Muslim, Muhammad Ihsan Zul, and Yohana Dewi Lulu Widyasari from Politeknik Caltex Riau, meticulously organized the event. The program featured expert insights from Professor Peter Mayer of Osnabrück University of Applied Science, Germany, and Leenawaty Limantara, Ph.D., of Universitas Kristen Petra, Indonesia. Additionally, Maksum Rois Adin Saf, S.Kom., M.Eng., from Politeknik Caltex Riau, served as the National Vocational Quality Assurance facilitator, providing critical perspectives on quality assurance in higher education.

Dr. Guido Schnieders, Director of the DAAD Regional Office in Jakarta, delivered a virtual speech and expressed his wish that each leader participating in VALERIA would be an agent of change in their home institutions. Dr. Dadang Syarif Sihabudin Sahid, Director of PCR, warmly welcomed all participants to Pekanbaru and emphasized the importance of the 24 individual projects. “I hope the 24 projects can benefit other institutions according to their unique situations,” he said.

Program Development and Industry Engagement

Istianah Muslim, the coordinator of VALERIA Phase 2, highlighted the progress of Phase 1, which took place in December 2023 in BSD City, Tangerang. For five days, participants engaged in a program designed by the training committee with expert input, with a participatory approach that included brainstorming, discussions, and the development of initiatives based on the leaders’ experiences. Using various methods from DIES International activities, the program facilitated dynamic discussions and participants presented their change projects, originally planned in Phase 1 and implemented over five months under the supervision of the committee.

The event also included an industrial visit to PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan, a partner of PCR, to emphasize the importance of industry linkages for vocational institutions. In addition, the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) and Implementation Arrangements (IA) between Politeknik Caltex Riau, Universitas Ciputra and the participating institutions marked a commitment to expand the impact of the program.

Looking Forward: Strengthening Networks and Leadership

At the end of VALERIA Phase 2, participants are encouraged to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills within their institutions and to disseminate their workshop experiences. This program exemplifies Politeknik Caltex Riau’s and Universitas Ciputra’s commitment to leadership development in vocational education and training, and strengthens international cooperation through DIES NMT and DAAD grants.

About DAAD and the DIES Program

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a prominent organization dedicated to promoting international academic exchange and cooperation. The DIES (Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies) program, a joint initiative of the DAAD and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), supports the internationalization and modernization of higher education institutions worldwide.