West Java Government Integrates Maung Schools with Industry

The management of the Maung (Unggulan Human) Schools has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with businesses in West Java to integrate the world of education with industry. Through this cooperation, it is hoped that learning in schools can match the needs of the world of work.

Head of the West Java Education Office Purwanto explained that the signing was attended by 13 vocational high schools (SMK) and 26 business representatives. Among them were PT Solu Filantropi Teknologi, PT Usaha Adi Sanggoro, Hotel Novotel Bogor and PT Sepa Coklat Indonesia.

According to Purwanto, there are 1,123 potential industries in West Java that can support improvements in the quality of SMK graduates in the province. Meanwhile, there are 13 Maung SMKs in West Java with 99 areas of skill specialisation.

“Industry can become a living lab for the children so that they know the skills that match industry needs,” said Purwanto at the Indonesia University of Education (UPI) on Monday, 13 July 2026.

Secretary of the West Java Provincial Government Herman Suryatman said the MoU is one of the efforts to address the considerable homework that remains, particularly regarding employment. To that end, synergy and collaboration must be strengthened further.

Herman stressed that over the next five years, Indonesia will face a demographic dividend. For this reason, the West Java Provincial Government is preparing young people both for employment and for entrepreneurship.

“In 2045, our children will become future leaders — leaders of the future, not the opposite, a burden on the future,” said Herman.

According to him, if the demographic dividend is not managed properly, Herman worries that Indonesia will fall into the middle-income trap.