“This data comes from the higher education database managed by the ministry,” said Tjitjik Sri Tjahjandarie, a special staff member to the minister.
The students are spread across Diploma I through Diploma IV (applied bachelor) programs, she said, participating in 5,768 vocational study tracks nationwide.
Over time, she noted, enrollment in vocational education has risen sharply.
“I believe this will increasingly contribute to the development of highly skilled human resources,” she said.
Vocational students now study in nearly every Indonesian province, though some regions still show low participation levels, she added.
The ministry aims to evenly distribute skilled graduates to meet regional industrial needs.
“These students are expected to serve industry demands and advance science and technology—whether through employment or innovation,” she said.
Tjahjandarie stressed that vocational graduates are intended to make impactful contributions both domestically and abroad, particularly in sectors like high technology and the green economy.
“Vocational education is designed to be flexible and practical. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on training to produce competitive graduates,” she added.
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Translator: Zulfikar, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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