In the first quarter of 2024, UNDIP Vocational School achieved extraordinary accomplishments, as it had the opportunity to obtain scholarships for the Development of Human Resources in Oil Palm Plantations (SDMPKS). This achievement is inseparable from the initiation of cooperation between the Diponegoro University Vocational School (SV UNDIP) and the Directorate General of Plantation of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, the Applied Bachelor’s Degree Program in Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (TRKI), along with the Applied Bachelor’s Degree Program in Mechanical Design Engineering (RPM).

The Head of the Applied Bachelor’s Degree Program in Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (TRKI) Study Program at UNDIP Vocational School, Mohamad Endy Julianto, S.T., M.T., stated that with the development of the SDMPKS program, which requires competent or skilled educational institutions in the field of palm oil processing from upstream to downstream, the TRKI and RPM Programs are highly appropriate. The Directorate General of Plantation selected the TRKI and RPM Programs at UNDIP Vocational School because of the competence of the lecturers and educational staff, with all lecturers also serving as competency assessors. “Our programs happen to align with the SDMPKS development program initiated by the Directorate General of Plantation,” said Endy, his familiar name.

According to Endy, the suitability of this SDMPKS program is based on the curriculum in TRKI, which is designed with the concept of OB TVET learning (Principle, Infrastructure, and Superstructure), with graduates being highly competent according to the needs of the millennial industry. The vocational learning system developed focuses on Outcome-Based Education (OBE) by modifying the Integrated Dual System with a Digitalization Teaching Factory to anticipate Cybergogy learning according to the job market needs in the palm oil industry and its derivatives.

Endy explained that the Oil Palm Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) supports funding this scholarship. This program aims to produce a young generation of palm oil plantation workers who can consistently improve the palm oil industry in Indonesia and the world.

The selection participants are sons/daughters of farmers, plantation workers, or employees in the palm oil industry from both upstream and downstream sectors who graduated from high school, majoring in science or from vocational schools in a similar field.

The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, books, competency certifications, transportation from the hometown (round trip once), and internships until graduation. Further information on the selection process can be found starting from April 5, 2024, on www.beasiswasdmsawit.id or through WhatsApp numbers 087873476434, 085219391389, and 082122125605.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program at UNDIP Vocational School, Sri Utami Handayani S.T., M.T., stated that this scholarship program is extraordinary. It aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, attitudes, professionalism, independence, and competitiveness of palm oil stakeholders, as well as improve the technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial abilities of palm oil stakeholders. Therefore, the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program fully supports this scholarship program based on palm oil cooperation. Students who choose the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program will learn about the design, operation, and maintenance of equipment used in oil palm plantations or palm oil processing industries. The hope is that upon graduation, students will have the competencies required by oil palm plantations or palm oil processing industries.

The Heads of the TRKI and RPM Study Programs at UNDIP Vocational School, along with the Dean, Prof. Dr. Ir. Budiyono, M.Si, and their team traveled to Jakarta for selection and presentation purposes. Similarly, the Dean attended a meeting related to the Oil Palm Plantation Human Resource Development Scholarship in Bandung.

As is known, the cooperation initiative between UNDIP Vocational School and the Directorate General of Plantation of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture previously brought in speakers such as the Director General of Plantation, Andi Nur Alam Syah, S.TP, M.T., represented by the Director of Plantation Protection, Ir. Hendratmojo Bagus Hudoro, M.Sc., in a guest lecture. The Student Association of the TRKI and RPM Study Programs organized this guest lecture.