Cooperation between SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar and the Postgraduate Program of UNUJA: Improving the Quality of Education

Probolinggo, September 30, 2024 – State Vocational High School (SMK) Negeri 1 Kotaanyar Paiton Probolinggo has officially established a collaboration with the Postgraduate Program of Nurul Jadid University (UNUJA) Paiton Probolinggo to enhance the quality of education within the school. The signing ceremony for this collaboration took place on Monday, September 30, 2024, in the hall of SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar Paiton Probolinggo.

This collaboration focuses on the development of teaching materials for educators, which is expected to improve the quality of education at SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar. This initiative represents a strategic step taken by both institutions with great hopes of advancing vocational education in the region.

In his speech, the Head of SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar Paiton, Drs. H. Sahudi, M.Pd., expressed appreciation for this collaboration and hoped that this step would enhance teachers' competencies and have a positive impact on students. "This collaboration offers new hope for the school in strengthening the quality of education, especially in facing the challenges of the Merdeka Curriculum," he stated.

Meanwhile, the Vice Rector III of UNUJA, Dr. H. Hasan Baharun, M.Pd., who delivered a speech on behalf of the Postgraduate Program of UNUJA, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in strengthening the synergy between vocational education and higher education academics. “We hope this collaboration marks the beginning of many other positive activities that will benefit the teachers and students at SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar,” he explained.

After the series of speeches, the event continued with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the Head of SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar, Drs. H. Sahudi, M.Pd., and the Director of the Postgraduate Program of UNUJA, Dr. H. Akmal Mundiri, M.Pd. This signing marks the commitment of both parties to jointly develop the quality of education at the vocational school level.

As a follow-up to this collaboration, SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar immediately held an In-House Training (IHT) event themed "Development of Learning Materials for the Merdeka Curriculum." This event featured the main speaker, Sugiono, Ph.D., a lecturer from the Postgraduate Program of UNUJA and one of the assessors in the Regional Innovation Program of Probolinggo Regency. During the training, teachers were guided to develop learning materials that align with the Merdeka Curriculum, which is currently being implemented nationwide.

A total of 32 educators from SMK Negeri 1 Kotaanyar Paiton participated in this activity with great enthusiasm. They regarded this training as very important for enhancing their competence in designing learning that is more effective and aligned with the needs of vocational education in the modern era.

This collaboration is expected to be sustainable and serve as a model for other schools in establishing partnerships with higher education institutions to create a strong synergy for improving the quality of education in Indonesia.