East Java partners with Chinese industry to train 5,000 vocational teachers in AI
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The Education Office of East Java Province has partnered with BOKE Technology of Shanghai, China, to train 5,000 vocational secondary school (SMK) teachers in the animation field to master artificial intelligence (AI) starting in August 2026.
“The development of technology, particularly AI, is moving very quickly. For that reason, improving the competence of teachers and students is a need that cannot be postponed,” said Head of the East Java Education Office Aries Agung Paewai in Surabaya on Thursday.
The East Java Education Office wants to ensure that learning in vocational schools always keeps pace with industrial developments so that East Java graduates are highly competitive and ready to face the challenges of the global world of work.
The partnership is a follow-up to an industry visit by the East Java Education Office to BOKE Technology in Shanghai.
On 22–23 July 2026, the Chinese company’s team visited three leading animation vocational schools, namely SMKN 4 Malang, SMKN 2 Singosari, and SMKN 12 Surabaya.
Aries said the collaboration forms part of efforts to strengthen technology-based vocational education transformation.
In the initial phase, 5,000 productive teachers, particularly those specialising in animation, will take part in online training beginning in August 2026.
The programme is expected to accelerate the application of AI in learning whilst also improving graduates’ readiness to meet the needs of the global industry.
In addition to discussing training, the BOKE Technology team also directly reviewed the animation works of vocational students in East Java. Aries assessed the quality of these works as capable of competing with graduates of vocational schools abroad.
“They came to see for themselves the quality of our SMK students. In fact, the works produced are extraordinary. Even some of the products created by students are already equivalent to work at university level. This is proof that East Java’s SMK graduates have highly competitive abilities, particularly in the field of animation,” he said.
According to him, the quality of the works on display was the reason the company decided to expand its partnership with vocational schools in Indonesia.
He explained that the Game+ Education programme is designed to introduce AI technology in the creation of games, webtoons, digital novels, and short dramas.
After the training, participants will also have the opportunity to take part in an AI design competition in China, opening up recruitment opportunities by industry.
“After the training, participants will have the chance to join an AI design competition in China. From that competition, the best talents will be selected, with opportunities to be recruited by industry,” said Wang Chen.
According to Wang Chen, all materials will be provided to teachers before being taught to students. Students’ works will also be published on international digital platforms to gain wider recognition.
He added that East Java is the first province chosen as BOKE Technology’s partner in Indonesia because it is considered to have a strong commitment to developing technology-based vocational education.
“We hope this partnership can help schools in East Java have AI learning materials that are continuously updated in line with international industry standards, whilst also opening up opportunities for global collaboration and competition for students,” he said.