Higher vocational education and research program are strongly related to the agenda of human resource development."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The governments of Indonesia and the Netherlands signed a memorandum of understanding to improve the quality of higher vocational education in the archipelago.
Technology, Research, and Higher Education Minister Mohammad Nasir stated here on Monday that the collaborative work between Indonesia and the Netherlands will cover capacity building programs for vocational lecturers and educational staffs, as well as for innovation and research development.
In the near future, the ministry will seek funding to send vocational students to study in the Netherlands.
"Currently, there are 12 polytechnics offering higher vocational education in Indonesia. We will encourage them to study in Dutch universities," Nasir stated.
Through this cooperation, Nasir expressed hope that the quality of Indonesian vocational education would be improved, with the graduated students receiving both their diploma and certificate of competence, as well as for the lecturers.
"This (cooperation) is really important in the competitive era of globalization," Nasir noted.
Meanwhile, Dutch Minister for Education, Culture, and Science Maritte Bussemaker underlined the importance of such form of cooperation to ensure higher quality of education for a better future.
"Higher vocational education and research program are strongly related to the agenda of human resource development," she noted.
Human resource development, particularly in Indonesia, which will soon offer a huge demographic bonus, predictably in 2020, has become the priority program that will be implemented through an exchange of agreements and scholarships.
In addition, curriculum development and evaluation as well as qualification will also be taken into account.
The cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands will result in strengthening networking in the labor market through internship programs and research projects involving students of both countries.
(Reported by Indriani/Uu.Y013/INE/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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