Padang – The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY), in collaboration with the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office, organized a postgraduate program promotion and socialization event alongside technical guidance for vocational teachers at educational institutions under the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office. The event was held on July 20–21, 2026, at Kawana Hotel Padang. Attended by vocational high school (SMK) teachers from various regencies and cities across West Sumatra, the event was officially opened by the Head of the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office together with the Chair of the West Sumatra Provincial Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

In his opening remarks, Head of the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office Habibul Fuadi, S.Pd., M.Si., expressed his appreciation for SPs UNY’s initiative in organizing the program promotion and technical guidance activities for vocational high school teachers in West Sumatra. He emphasized that strengthening teachers’ capacities is one of the key factors in developing vocational education that produces competent, adaptable graduates whose skills align with the needs of the business and industrial sectors, as well as technological advancements. He expressed his hope that collaboration between the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office and SPs UNY would continue to grow through various programs aimed at enhancing teachers’ competencies and developing postgraduate education.

Director of SPs UNY, Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO, served as a speaker during the postgraduate program socialization session. In his presentation, he introduced the various master’s and doctoral programs offered by SPs UNY, its flexible learning systems—including the Distance Learning Program (PJJ)—and opportunities for collaboration in human resource development. Participants also received information about learning systems, academic services, and further study opportunities for teachers seeking to enhance their professional and academic competencies.

Prof. Siswantoyo emphasized that improving teachers’ competencies is a long-term investment in the advancement of Indonesian education. “Teachers are at the forefront of improving education quality. Therefore, enhancing their competencies through further study is a long-term investment in developing excellent human resources capable of addressing future educational challenges,” he stated.

In the following session, Prof. Dr. Putu Sudira, M.P., Coordinator of the Regular and Distance Learning (PJJ) Doctoral Program in Technology and Vocational Education (PTK), delivered a presentation entitled “Deep Learning in Vocational High Schools to Strengthen Employability in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Era.” The presentation discussed the transformation of vocational learning, emphasizing the development of higher-order thinking skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, collaboration, communication, and the ability to utilize digital technology and artificial intelligence in the learning process.

Prof. Putu explained that vocational learning in the AI era can no longer focus solely on mastering theoretical knowledge. Instead, it must provide authentic learning experiences relevant to the needs of the workplace. “Vocational learning should not merely enable students to understand theory. More importantly, students must gain deep, contextual, authentic learning experiences that are relevant to the ever-changing demands of the workplace,” explained Prof. Putu Sudira.

He also highlighted the importance of implementing mastery learning, authentic learning, contextual learning, and immersive learning in vocational high schools. According to him, teachers need to utilize digital technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), as a learning tool that enhances the quality of students’ learning experiences while continuing to prioritize character development, ethics, and human values.

Throughout the two-day event, participants enthusiastically took part in the program socialization and technical guidance sessions. Discussions were highly interactive, particularly on implementing deep learning in the classroom, developing curricula based on industry needs, strategies for utilizing AI in learning, and preparing vocational high school graduates to remain competitive amid increasingly dynamic changes in the workplace.

Through this initiative, SPs UNY hopes that more teachers in West Sumatra will have opportunities to enhance their competencies through postgraduate education while implementing innovative vocational learning practices in their respective schools. The synergy between SPs UNY and the West Sumatra Provincial Education Office is expected to continue growing through collaborative programs that contribute to improving the quality of vocational education and developing Indonesia’s human resources. (SR)