The Semarang Merchant Marine Polytechnic (PIP Semarang) held its 103rd Graduation Ceremony and the Release of Maritime Transportation Officers, marking an important milestone in strengthening vocational education in the transportation sector. As part of the series of events, the Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) and PIP Semarang signed a cooperation agreement, accompanied by the socialization of the Distance Learning Program (PJJ) and discussions on the development of postgraduate education.

The event took place on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Bintang Bedjan Ceremony Ground of PIP Semarang, located at Jalan Singosari No. 2A, Semarang. It marked a strategic step toward expanding access to master’s (S2) and doctoral (S3) education for lecturers and personnel within the Ministry of Transportation.

The cooperation agreement signing was attended by the Director of SPs UNY, Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO, alongside other invited guests, including the Director of the Indonesia Civil Aviation Polytechnic (Politeknik Penerbangan Indonesia Curug), Capt. Megi Hudi Helmiadi, and the Chair of the Jakarta Maritime Institute (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran/STIP Jakarta), Dr. Capt. Tri Cahyadi, M.H., M.Mar., together with leaders of vocational higher education institutions under the Human Resources Development Agency of the Ministry of Transportation.

Through this collaboration, SPs UNY introduced its Distance Learning Program (PJJ), which offers flexibility for lecturers and personnel to pursue further education without leaving their official duties. The program is expected to support the improvement of academic qualifications, professional competencies, and the overall quality of human resources in the transportation sector.

During the discussion session, Andri Yulianto emphasized the importance of simplifying study-permit procedures to ensure that efforts to improve academic qualifications can be carried out effectively. Meanwhile, Avi Mukti highlighted postgraduate education as a long-term investment in developing the quality of both individuals and institutions.

The collaboration between SPs UNY, PIP Semarang, STIP Jakarta, and the Indonesia Civil Aviation Polytechnic Curug, with support from the Human Resources Development Agency of the Ministry of Transportation, is expected to produce highly competent, professional, adaptable, and globally competitive human resources for the transportation sector.