DESMA Center Synergizes with Educational Institutions to Support Quality and Competitive Tourism
Writer: Agustina Purnami Setiawi, Programme Officer Field Office Sumba
Editor: Firra Kholisa Mustika, Senior Communication
Vocational high school (SMK) students are prepared to be able to work in industry. The skill competency test (UKK) is a benchmark for student competency achievement at a certain level according to the Expertise Competencies taken during the learning period at SMK and conformity with industry standards. UKK is not only a graduation requirement, but also proof that SMK graduates are ready to compete in the world of work with proven competence.
In March 2025, the Competency Test (UKK) was conducted in all vocational schools. The DESMA Center Sumba team became UKK examiners in schools assisted and affected by the TVET for Sustainable Tourism program. Mr. Boyke Hutapea, Project Manager of DESMA Center was an examiner at SMK Pancasila Tambolaka, SMKN 1 North Kodi, SMK Kasimo Tambolaka, and SMK Efata Omba Rade; Mr. Adrianus Ubas, Program Officer of DESMA Center was an examiner at SMK Pancasila Tambolaka & SMKN 1 Tambolaka City.
The other examiners were Mr. Amir Hasan Muhammad A. Majid, CHE, Duty Manager of Sima Hotel Sumba (SMKN 2 Tambolaka City); Mrs. Nyoman Aris Suparni, S.Pd., M.Pd., ASEAN Assessor from the First Party Professional Certification Institute (LSP P1) SMKN 3 Denpasar (SMK Bakti Luhur Tambolaka); and Mr. Yoesi Bagus Taruna, General Manager of Mercure Bali Sanur Resort (SMK Bakti Luhur Tambolaka).
A total of 177 students participated in the UKK, the subjects tested included Hospitality Accommodation (APH) 88 people; Visual Communication Design (DKV) 44 people; and Tourism Service Business (ULP) 45 people.
The implementation of the UKK in the assisted schools serves as an evaluation of the effectiveness of the mentoring program provided by DESMA Center. The results of the UKK are expected to not only serve as evidence of students' abilities, but also encourage schools to continuously update their curriculum and learning methods in order to create graduates who are ready to contribute to regional and national economic development.
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TVET for Sustainable Tourism Development in Sumba program supported by MISEREOR/KZE; implemented by DESMA Center. Strengthening the Capacity of Tourism Human Resources aims to realize “Tourism vocational school education programs in Sumba to meet the needs and requirements of the tourism industry, thus offering better employment opportunities for young people and supporting sustainable tourism in Sumba.”
This program includes strengthening (1) Tourism vocational school management capacity in line with the independent curriculum as well as the concept of sustainable tourism; (2) Teacher capacity in pedagogical knowledge, about teaching and sustainable tourism (3) Tourism Vocational School-Tourism Industry Partnership; and (4) Student entrepreneurship capacity in the creation of sustainable tourism businesses.
The direct beneficiaries of this program are (1) SMK Pancasila - Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba; (2) SMK Negeri 2 Tambolaka City, Southwest Sumba; (3) SMK Bakti Luhur - Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba; (4) SMK Efata - Omba Rade, Southwest Sumba; and (5) SMK Negeri 1 Waikabubak, West Sumba. The direct partners of this program are (1) East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Education & Culture Office; (2) Southwest Sumba Regency Government; (3) West Sumba Regency Government; (4) Southwest Sumba Regency Tourism Office; and (5) West Sumba Regency Tourism Office.
