Makassar — Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) strengthened its leadership in advancing green skills within agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as two lecturers from the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Education (FPTI) delivered keynote lectures at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM). Attended by nearly 100 students and lecturers from the Agricultural Technology Education (PTP) and Agro-Industrial Technology (TIP) study programs, the event served as a strategic platform for fostering academic collaboration, expanding research networks, and promoting sustainability-oriented competencies in Indonesia’s agricultural education landscape.

The first keynote speaker, Dr. Mustika Nuramalia Handayani, S.T.P., M.Pd., delivered a talk titled “Green Curriculum to Enhance Green Skills in Agricultural Vocational Education.” Dr. Mustika is an Associate Professor at UPI whose research focuses on green skills, TVET reform, and curriculum development. She has been recognized by UNESCO-UNEVOC for her contributions to greening TVET and has published extensively in Scopus-indexed journals, including the Journal of Technical Education and Training (JTET). Her recent work explores interdisciplinary learning and sustainable education for vocational teacher training in Southeast Asia.

In her lecture, she emphasized that green skills (environmental awareness, innovation capability, communication, adaptability, and waste management) are foundational competencies for future agricultural professionals. She highlighted that integrating these competencies into TVET requires intentional curriculum design that prepares learners to navigate sustainability demands, climate challenges, and the expanding landscape of green jobs.

“Green curriculum is not an optional component; it is fundamental for shaping a workforce capable of leading sustainable agricultural transformation,” she asserted. She also pointed to global issues such as food waste, circular economy practices, and responsible production as critical themes to be embedded in agricultural education.

The second keynote speaker, Dewi Cakrawati, S.T.P., M.Si., Ph.D., delivered a concise session on “Functional Food Innovation from Acetic Acid Fermentation.” She explained how traditional fermentation practices can be enhanced through scientific optimization to create functional food products that support nutrition and sustainable food systems. Although brief, her presentation illustrated how applied food science can complement green skills by strengthening local food innovation and community well-being.

The interactive discussion that followed demonstrated strong enthusiasm from participants, who raised questions on strategies for strengthening green skills in agricultural TVET, integrating sustainability into learning activities, and exploring localized innovation opportunities in Sulawesi. This engagement signaled a growing shared commitment among students and lecturers to advance environmentally responsible and future-ready agricultural education.

Through this collaborative event, UPI and UNM reaffirmed their commitment to promoting sustainability in agricultural vocational education in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative supports SDG 4 (quality and future-oriented education), SDG 2 (enhancing food security through responsible innovation), and SDG 13 (climate-responsive practices in agriculture).

This academic partnership underscores the critical role of higher education institutions in shaping a knowledgeable, competitive, and environmentally conscious young generation equipped to contribute to Indonesia’s transition toward a sustainable and green economy.

Contributor: MNH/H.H, editor : SN/MNH