Indonesia
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The Indonesian State Polytechnic Directors Forum held an information session on the National Selection for State Higher Education Entrance (SNMPTN) and the National Selection for State Polytechnic Entrance (SNMPN) via Zoom meeting and YouTube channel on 15 January 2021, attended by school principals, teachers, and students from high schools, vocational schools, and Islamic high schools (SMA, SMK, and MAN) across Indonesia. The event was attended by the Director General of Vocational Education, the Executive Chairman of the Higher Education Entrance Test Institute (LTMPT), the Chairman of the Indonesian State Polytechnic Directors Forum, and State Polytechnic Directors.
A total of 351 applied bachelor's study programs will be included in the National Selection for State Higher Education Entrance (SNMPTN) managed by the Higher Education Entrance Test Institute (LTMPT). A total of 298 applied bachelor's study programs at State Polytechnics and 53 applied bachelor's study programs are organized by 12 Vocational Higher Education Institutions (Universities, Institutes, Colleges, and Academies). The Higher Education Entrance Test Institute (LTMPT) will support the admission selection of new students at vocational higher education institutions across Indonesia. In addition to Polytechnics, higher education institutions with vocational tracks can join the selection specifically opened for Diploma IV or Applied Bachelor's programs.
Director General of Vocational Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud), Wikan Sakarinto, stated that the first process that graduates of SMA, SMK, and MA must undergo to continue their education to a higher level is the selection process. This process is an essential requirement so that both graduates and higher education institutions can gauge the quality of prospective students.
“For this reason, we are partnering with LTMPT to conduct the selection of prospective new students through the SNMPTN track,” said Director General of Vocational Education Wikan in the Information Session for the 2021 SNMPTN and National Selection for State Polytechnic Entrance (SNMPN). There are 40 Polytechnics and 12 Vocational Higher Education Institutions (Universities, Institutes, Colleges, and Academies) joining the LTMPT selection this year. Hundreds of study programs are offered for vocational graduates.
“This is an opportunity that must be utilized as well as possible amidst the efforts of vocational higher education institutions to synergize with industry and the world of work so that in the future they can produce superior human resources who are highly absorbed by industry,” said the Director General of Vocational Education.
Undeniably, vocational education is currently in increasingly high demand with the various choices of study programs offered. Not only that, the distinctive characteristics inherent in vocational education, such as having more practical training, are an advantage in their own right.
Hands-on training that is real or closely mirrors actual situations in the world of work puts vocational education one step ahead. Another advantage of continuing education in vocational studies is the wider availability of job opportunities. “This is where we see that to realize the development of vocational human resources, quality vocational education institutions are needed. The Directorate General of Vocational Education strives to realize more competent vocational education,” he explained. Going forward, Wikan hopes to see queues to enter SMK, Polytechnics, and Vocational Higher Education Institutions. “There, they will gain strong work experience and practice for their future career capital,” said the Director General of Vocational Education.
Endang Kusmana, Director of Politap, who attended the information session accompanied by the Vice Director for Academic Affairs, Head of the Promotion Team, Public Relations, and the IT Team, conveyed that this year Politap's Applied Bachelor's Study Programs, namely the Plantation Crop Cultivation and Road and Bridge Construction Engineering Technology Applied Bachelor's Study Programs, are included in the Selection System conducted by LTMPT, thereby joining the entrance test for all state higher education institutions.