Politap Selected Among 23 Polytechnics for SMK-D2 Fast Track Pilot Project

A total of 23 polytechnics, both state and private, were invited to attend the online coordination meeting for the preparation of the SMK-D2 Fast Track program organized by the Directorate General of Vocational Education on 19 September 2020. This program will soon be implemented across 23 polytechnics: Politeknik Negeri Ketapang (Ketapang State Polytechnic), Politeknik Perkapalan Negeri Surabaya, Politeknik Negeri Ketapang, Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya, Politeknik Negeri Kupang, Politeknik Negeri Manado, Politeknik Manufaktur Bandung, Politeknik Negeri Bandung, Politeknik Negeri Semarang, Politeknik Negeri Jember, Politeknik Negeri Batam, Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Samarinda, Politeknik Negeri Pontianak, Politeknik Negeri Tanah Laut, Politeknik Negeri Bengkalis, Politeknik Negeri Jakarta, Politeknik Negeri Indramayu, Politeknik Negeri Bali, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Politeknik Negeri Pangkajene Kepulauan, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Politeknik Negeri Padang, Politeknik Manufaktur Astra, and Politeknik ATMI Solo.

This SMK-D2 Fast Track program will be carried out within an educational framework involving vocational high schools (SMK), polytechnics, and industry. Through this program, students are expected to complete their studies in 4 years to earn both an SMK diploma and a D2 degree, which typically takes 5 years.

Director of Politeknik Negeri Ketapang Endang Kusmana stated that Politap currently faces challenges regarding the legal framework of this program; however, if the model is a ministerial mandate or assignment, Politap is ready, as several meetings have already been held with vocational schools, particularly SMK Negeri 2 Ketapang. Other vocational schools partnering with Politap in this SMK-D2 Fast Track Program are SMKN 1 Simpang Hulu, SMK Negeri Muara Pawan, SMK Negeri 1 Ketapang, and SMKN 1 Kendawangan. Meanwhile, the study programs to be developed under this diploma program are: 1). D2 Mining Engineering (based on the D3 Mining Engineering Program), 2). D2 Palm Oil Processing (based on the D3 Plantation Product Processing Technology Program), 3). D2 Palm Oil Quality Control (based on the D3 Agroindustry Program), 4). D2 Oil Palm Cultivation (based on the D4 Plantation Crop Cultivation Program), 5). D2 Computer Network Administration (based on the D3 Informatics Engineering Program), and 6). D2 Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance (based on the D3 Machine Maintenance and Repair Program). The design for the program's sustainability scheme is as follows: