Activities

Author: Agustina Purnami Setiawi, Programme Officer, Field Office Sumba

Editors: Boyke Hutapea, Programme Manager, Field Office Sumba; Siti Nur Hasbiyana, Program Associate and Outreach

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Sustainable Tourism Development in Sumba 2025 program, implemented by DESMA Center, demonstrates its commitment to developing sustainable tourism human resources in Sumba. A total of 30 participants, representing partner schools, affected schools, and the tourism industry, attended the program dissemination event titled “Building Collaboration Between Vocational Schools & Industry for the Future of Sumba Tourism” at SMK Pancasila, Tambolaka, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

This event served as both a reflection on the program’s three-year implementation—from November 2022 to July 2025—and a strategic forum to plan the next sustainable steps. The event opened with the screening of a documentary video highlighting the program’s achievements, showcasing significant improvements in the competencies of vocational tourism students, teachers, and school management.

In his remarks, the Head of SMK Pancasila Tambolaka, Mr. Aleks Rangga Pija, S.H., M.Pd., emphasized the importance of synergy between schools and industry. “This collaboration not only opens up job opportunities for vocational school graduates but also drives sustainable tourism-based economic growth in Sumba,” he stated.

The program’s results were presented by Mr. Dicky Mardyan, Co-Founder and Director of DESMA Center, who reaffirmed that the TVET program has fostered best practices in five partner vocational tourism schools. Meanwhile, strong aspirations were expressed by SMKN 2 Lamboya and SMK Kasimo Tambolaka, who hope to join as partner schools in the next phase.

One inspiring moment came from a student winner of the Sumba Ecobiz Challenge 2025, who shared her experience participating in the competition. She said that the program had given her the insights into developing sustainable business ideas and presentation skills relevant to the professional world.

Support from the tourism industry has further strengthened this collaboration. As stated by SIMA Hotel Duty Manager, Mr. Amir Hasan Muhammad A. Majid, CHE, “We see that graduates trained through this TVET program have job-ready competencies, which are highly needed in the industry.”

The event also addressed areas for improvement for the program’s next phase, including the need for better synchronization between the program and schools. This input became a key focus in strategic discussions with education supervisors and school partners.

Closing remarks were delivered by Ms. Maria Theodora M. Bau, S.Pd., Supervising Officer for Senior High/Vocational/Special Schools in the Wewewa Area, Southwest Sumba Regency (NTT Provincial Office of Education & Culture), who expressed appreciation for the program’s achievements and stressed the importance of cross-sector support. “Support from all parties, including industry and local government, is crucial to ensure the sustainability of this program,” she said.

The event produced several strategic recommendations, including the preparation of a comprehensive program achievement report, a commitment to expand the number of partner schools, and the identification of broader collaboration opportunities. These results will serve as a foundation to strengthen sustainable tourism in Sumba through the development of skilled human resources and robust education–industry partnerships.

As a follow-up, DESMA Center will focus on three main priorities: considering the addition of partner vocational tourism schools, synchronizing activities with schools, and strengthening long-term partnerships with the tourism industry. Through these concrete steps, the TVET for Sustainable Tourism program is expected to become a driving force in improving the quality of tourism human resources in Sumba. The synergy between educational institutions and industry will serve as the foundation for creating an inclusive tourism ecosystem based on local potential and sustainability.

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The TVET for Sustainable Tourism Development in Sumba program is supported by MISEREOR/KZE and Kindermissionswerk ‘Die Sternsinger’, and implemented by DESMA Center. This initiative aims to ensure that vocational tourism education in Sumba meets the needs and requirements of the tourism industry, offering better job opportunities for young people and supporting sustainable tourism in Sumba.

The program includes strengthening the management capacity of vocational tourism schools in line with the Merdeka Curriculum and the concept of sustainable tourism; enhancing teachers’ capacity in pedagogy, teaching skills, and sustainable tourism knowledge; building partnerships between vocational tourism schools and the tourism industry; and developing students’ entrepreneurial skills in creating sustainable tourism businesses.

The program’s direct beneficiaries are SMK Pancasila – Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba; SMK Negeri 2 Kota Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba; SMK Bakti Luhur – Tambolaka, Southwest Sumba; SMK Efata – Omba Rade, Southwest Sumba; and SMK Negeri 1 Waikabubak, West Sumba. The program’s direct partners are the NTT Provincial Office of Education & Culture, the Southwest Sumba Regency Government, the West Sumba Regency Government, the Southwest Sumba Regency Tourism Office, and the West Sumba Regency Tourism Office.