"The commemoration of Indonesia's 78th anniversary is a momentum for vocational education students to show core vocational competencies," director general of vocational education at the ministry, Kiki Yuliati, said here on Thursday.
During the Independence Day event at the ministry's office yard in Jakarta, a number of vocational students performed and showcased their talents.
The vocational students collaborated with professional singers in presenting an orchestra performance.
This collaboration was quite unique considering that the professional singers graduated from vocational schools that focused on industrial engineering.
A motorcycle engineering student of vocational high school SMK TI Muhammadiyah Cikampek, Hari Aditya, said that his team rehearsed for four days to prepare for the orchestra performance.
"After we were told that the orchestra of SMK TI Muhammadiyah Cikampek had the opportunity to collaborate with two professional singers, we increased our practicing as we were challenged," Aditya said.
An alumnus of public vocational high school SMKN 11 Medan and Top 6 Indonesian Idol 2023, Novia Anjelina Situmeang, said that this was the first time she was involved in the ministry’s Independence Day commemoration.
Situmeang said the reason she majored in music at SMKN 11 Medan was because she had dreams of becoming an art teacher.
She informed that the knowledge she gained during school was very useful in building her singing career.
"Vocational education is the right place for us to hone our skills. If we already know our interests, focus on them and believe that perseverance will lead us to success," Situmeang said.
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Translator: Astrid H, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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