Official: Politap Launches New Study Program!

KETAPANG — Wednesday (18/12/2024). Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic) (Ketapang State Polytechnic, Politap) marked another significant step in efforts to strengthen vocational education in Ketapang Regency. On Wednesday, 18 December 2024, Politap officially launched a new Study Program, namely Agribusiness Management. This launch is expected to address the demand for human resources in the rapidly growing agribusiness sector across Ketapang Regency and West Kalimantan.

The launching event, held in the Hall on the 2nd Floor of the Directorate Building of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, was attended by various stakeholders, including local government officials, academics, industry representatives, and the Politap academic community. Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, Irianto SP, S.ST., M.MA., stated in his address that the launch of the Agribusiness Management Study Program is a strategic step in addressing increasingly complex and dynamic workforce challenges, particularly in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors.

“Our hope is that with this new study program at Politap, in addition to increasing the number of study programs and academic disciplines, especially in agribusiness management, it can also contribute scientific knowledge and technology, particularly in vocational education, to help address issues across society, institutions, and the business and industrial sectors,” he said.

As a vocational higher education institution, Politeknik Negeri Ketapang is committed to producing graduates who are ready to enter the workforce. The Agribusiness Management Study Program is established to support the growth of the agriculture and agribusiness sectors, which are primary drivers in our region. With this study program, it is hoped that competent professionals will emerge to manage and develop the agribusiness potential in Ketapang Regency and West Kalimantan.

Ketapang Regency, known for its natural wealth, holds immense potential in the agriculture, plantation, and fisheries sectors. Natural resources such as oil palm, rubber, and various other agricultural commodities are primary products that not only dominate the local economy, but also possess bright prospects in national and international markets.

However, alongside this immense potential, the agribusiness sector also faces various challenges, including a shortage of skilled workers who possess an in-depth understanding of agribusiness management, modern agricultural technology, and sustainable business practices.

With the opening of this Agribusiness Management Study Program, Politeknik Negeri Ketapang strives to develop graduates who not only possess practical skills in agribusiness, but also capabilities in business planning, resource management, and innovation in facing various industry challenges. The study program is designed with a curriculum that integrates theory and practice, including field studies that will provide students with direct insight into the professional world.

Politap remains committed to advancing knowledge and expertise, particularly in professional vocational fields, including Agribusiness Management, to produce graduates ready to meet the challenges of the workforce.

“This Agribusiness Management field is prepared to contribute to advancing the economy and reducing poverty in Ketapang Regency. Preparing local youths from Ketapang produced through vocational education at Politap who must become a workforce that is DISIPLIN, UNGGUL, MANDIRI (Disciplined, Excellent, Independent) in accordance with Politap's motto, in facing challenges in the workforce today and in the future,” the Director of Politap added.

The launch of the Agribusiness Management Study Program also received full support from the local government and industry. Expert Staff for Government, Law, and Politics, Drs. H. Darma, M.Pd., representing the regent and attending the event, stated that the presence of this study program is highly strategic in supporting the development of the agriculture and agribusiness sectors in Ketapang Regency.

“Ketapang Regency has tremendous agribusiness potential, and with this Agribusiness Management Study Program, we hope more competent workers will emerge who can compete and manage this sector professionally,” he said.

Politeknik Negeri Ketapang hopes that the Agribusiness Management Study Program will further reinforce the polytechnic’s position as an educational institution relevant to industry needs. Furthermore, opening this study program is expected to contribute to advancing a sustainable agriculture and agribusiness sector, thereby driving regional economic growth and improving community welfare in Ketapang.

With the launch of this study program, Politeknik Negeri Ketapang also hopes to become a center of excellence in education capable of producing agribusiness specialists ready to contribute to the management and sustainable development of the agricultural sector in West Kalimantan.