Two IPB University Vocational School Students Participate in Internship at the First Agricultural Vocational University in Japan

Two IPB University Vocational School,students, Raden Roro Fatimah Azzahra and Nazwa Magfira had the opportunity to take part in mengikuti Shizuoka Professional University of Agriculture (SPUA) Internship for one month in July-August 2024.

These two female students were selected to take part in the 2024 SPUA Internship after following a strict selection process. It was recorded that more than 20 IPB University Vocational School students from 17 study programs registered to take part in this international program. The two students selected to participate in this internship program are from the Applied Bachelor’s Program (D4) in Agribusiness Management and the Digital Communication and Media Program.

The series of internship activities consist of orientation, practice of planting, caring for, flower arranging, practice of precision planting for melons,practice of harvesting green tea and Japanese tea ceremony,sports,work on an internship project at kiwi agrotourism in kakegawa, and final presentation.

SPUA is Japan’s first professional/vocational university for agriculture and forestry. SPUA is a university belonging to Shizuoka Prefecture which aims to produce professionals to work in the agricultural and forestry industry through direct practice on campus.

“I am very happy with the first internship carried out by two  IPB University Vocational  students this year. Hopefully the number of IPB University Vocational School students undertaking internship will increase,”  said Prof Shigehiko Suzuki, President of SPUA when welcoming the two female students into his room.

Two IPB University Vocational School lecturers who are currently pursuing doctoral studies in tokyo, Prima Gandhi and Septian Fauzi Dwi Saputra, had the opportunity to accompany the two students to their internship location as well as the two students to their internship location as well as touring the SPUA campus in Iwata City.

“SPUA Internship 2024 is an example of the role of the IPB University Vocational School in making the Independent Student Exchange (PMM), Freedom of Learning – Independence Campus program (MKBM) launched by the Directorate General of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) a success,” said Gandhi when contacted. in Iwata City, Shizuoka.

The Dean of IPB University Vocational School, Dr Aceng Hidayat hopes that in the future this SPUA internship can develop into a joint degree program. In this way, graduates of the IPB University Vocational School will be able to work in a number of SPUA partner agricultural companies in Japan.

This opportunity is very wide open considering that Japan is currently experiencing a deficit of professional workers in the agricultural sector due to the decline in the population’s birth rate. Apart from that, this program can be used as an example of implementing sister city cooperation between Shizuoka Prefecture and the West Java Provincial Government (Pemprov).  Remembering that IPB University, especially the Vocational School, one of whose campuses is in Sukabumi, was an initiation from the West Java Provincial Government (Pemprov).

Last year, the West Java Provincial Government and the Shizuoka Prefectural Government also collaborated to hold the 5th edition of the job fair on 2-3 December 2023 in Bandung, to attract workers to Shizuoka Prefecture. From 2021 to early 2023, 72 West Java residents have been employed in various industries in Shizuoka Prefecture. (*/Rz) (IAAS/EXC)