Yogyakarta, 18 September 2025 — The Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vocational College Universitas Gadjah Mada, has completed a one-month community service program titled “Enhancing Competency of Vocational School Teachers in Heavy Equipment”. This program officially began with an opening ceremony on 18 August 2025 and concluded on 18 September 2025. The initiative aimed to strengthen the technical skills of vocational school teachers in line with technological advancements in the heavy equipment sector.
Ten faculty members from the Department of Mechanical Engineering served as instructors and speakers throughout the program, including Dr. Ir. Sugiyanto, Ir. Radhian Krisnaputra, Ir. Nugroho Santoso, Ir. Irfan Bahiuddin, Ph.D., Dr.Eng. Yosephus Ardean, Ir. Felixtianus Eko Wismo Winarto, M.Sc., Ph.D., Ir. Surojo, Ir. Harjono, Dr. Nyayu Aisyah, and Dr. Ilham Ayu Putri Pratiwi. The training addressed topics such as material analysis, welding technology, hydraulic systems, occupational safety and risk management, Industry 4.0 applications in heavy equipment, and foundational rapid prototyping, delivered through both theory and practical sessions.
The program was carried out in collaboration with PT United Tractors Semarang Branch as an industry partner, contributing real-world insights into the implementation of heavy machinery technologies. Additionally, management teams from the partner schools — SMKN 1 Ngawen, SMK Muhammadiyah 2 Playen, and SMK Veteran — played an important role in supporting logistics, including providing venue facilities and transportation for participants. This highlights the program’s multihelix collaboration framework involving academia, industry, and education institutions.
The opening ceremony took place on 18 August 2025 at the Sekip Campus, attended by academic representatives, industry partners, and vocational educators. The Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Lilik Dwi Setyana, opened the event with a message underscoring the importance of capacity-building among vocational teachers. Remarks were also delivered by Mr. Josua from PT United Tractors and Mr. Samsu Sartana from SMKN 1 Ngawen. The program was officially launched by Dr. Ir. Sugiyanto, Head of the Applied Bachelor Program in Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Management Engineering.
Through this program, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UGM reaffirms its commitment to advancing vocational education in Indonesia through structured and collaborative knowledge-sharing. Not only did the program update participants on recent technological developments in heavy equipment, it also reinforced cross-sector partnerships that are vital for long-term impact.
The initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through the strengthening of educator competence, integration of industrial technology in academic delivery, and multi-institutional collaboration.