APDOVI and IBI Kesatuan Bogor Hold 3rd National Conference to Strengthen Vocational Lecturers
The Indonesian Vocational Lecturers Association (APDOVI), in synergy with the Institute of Business and Informatics (IBI) Kesatuan Bogor, successfully held a National Seminar and the 3rd APDOVI National Conference. The hybrid event, which took place on Saturday (18/7), carried the strategic theme ‘Revitalising Vocational Lecturer Capacity Based on Industry: Strategies to Produce Work-Ready and Globally Competitive Graduates’.
This activity serves as a crucial momentum for strengthening the role of vocational lecturers amidst the dynamics of technology and the ever-changing needs of the industrial world. A total of 250 participants took part, with 100 attending in person at the IBI Kesatuan Bogor campus and 150 participating online from APDOVI’s six regional coverage areas across Indonesia.
APDOVI Chairman Dr. Arman Faslih asserted that the organisation, which now has over 2,600 members, is committed to being a collaborative platform for vocational lecturers. He stated that enhancing lecturer capacity is a key factor in producing adaptive graduates suited to industry needs.
Echoing this sentiment, IBI Kesatuan Rector Prof. Dr. Bambang Pamungkas highlighted the importance of collaboration among four pillars: higher education institutions, industry, government, and professional organisations. He assessed that APDOVI plays a crucial role in creating learning innovations relevant to the workplace.
Chairman of the APDOVI Supervisory Board, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sigit Pranowo Hadiwardoyo, DEA, added that the quality of vocational education must be rooted in strengthening lecturer competence, both academically and professionally, through genuine industry experience.
During the keynote speech, the Director of Learning and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Dr. Beny Bandanadjaja, S.T., M.T., stressed that vocational curricula must be living documents. ‘The curriculum needs to be continuously updated through co-creation with the business and industrial sectors, strengthened by applied research and competency certification,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Wikan Sakarinto, Ph.D., Director of the Mitra Industri Polytechnic, encouraged a transformation towards Project-Based Learning (PjBL) and Teaching Factory (TEFA). He asserted that the indicators of graduate success have now shifted towards character, portfolios, and the ability to provide real solutions for industry, rather than merely academic grade point averages.
From an industry perspective, the Deputy Chairman of KADIN West Java for Vocational and Certification Affairs, Hadi S. Cokrodimejo, highlighted the challenges of Industry 5.0. He noted that vocational education is required to produce human resources who are not only proficient in digital technologies such as AI and IoT but also possess strong creativity and collaboration skills to welcome Indonesia’s Golden Year 2045.
Following the seminar, the 3rd National Conference appointed the leadership for the 2026–2029 period. By consensus, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sigit Pranowo Hadiwardoyo, DEA was re-appointed as Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and Dr. Arman Faslih, S.T., M.T. was re-entrusted as Chairman of APDOVI. The conference also established the composition of APDOVI Regional Chairpersons for the 2026–2029 term.