Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Successfully Held GREAT Summer Program 2025: Global Collaboration Towards Green and Sustainable Vocational Education

Bandung, August 7, 2025 – Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), through its Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Education (FPTI), has reaffirmed its role as a center for international academic collaboration by successfully holding the GREAT (Greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training/TVET for a Sustainable Future) Summer Program 2025. The program, conducted on July 24, July 31, and August 7, 2025, featured a series of scientific discussions, workshops, cultural exchanges, and research collaborations involving students, lecturers, researchers, and practitioners from various countries.

The GREAT Summer Program 2025 was an international academic forum carrying the overarching theme “Greening TVET for a Sustainable Future.” The program focused on introducing and developing the concept of green vocational education integrated with technological innovation, 21st-century skills, and environmental sustainability awareness. The activities were structured into three main days, comprising scientific seminars, interactive discussion sessions, workshops on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), cultural sharing, as well as coaching sessions on scientific writing and academic poster development.

The program involved more than 100 participants from various educational institutions, international organizations, and community groups from local to global levels. Distinguished speakers included:

-          Kenneth Barrientos (UNESCO-UNEVOC)

-          Prof. Dr. Eng. Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto (Professor at FPTI UPI and Head of the UPI Journal Publication Office)

-          Dr. Ir. Dwi Purnomo, S.T.P., M.T., IPU., ASEAN Eng. (Universitas Padjadjaran; Founder of The Local Enablers & Design Thinking Academy Indonesia)

-          Prof. Dr. Thomas Köhler (Chair of Educational Technology and Managing Director of the Institute for Vocational Education, TU Dresden, Germany)

-          Alfin Nurul Firdaus (Executive Director of Pasuruan Youth Forum Foundation)

International partners from universities in Southeast Asia and Africa also participated, including Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (Thailand), HUTECH Vietnam, Iloilo Science and Technology University (Philippines), Battambang Teacher Education College (Cambodia), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, as well as delegates from Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. Their participation underscores UPI’s position as a higher education institution actively strengthening global academic networks.

The program was conducted over three main days:

●       Day One (July 24, 2025): The program officially opened with the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya and an institutional profile presentation. The opening was led by the Dean of FPTI UPI, Prof. Dr. Eng. Agus Setiawan, and attended by the Rector of UPI and faculty leaders. The main agenda included a panel discussion titled “Greening TVET in Action” featuring speakers from Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as a presentation from UNESCO-UNEVOC on “Building Skills for a Sustainable Future.”

●       Day Two (July 31, 2025): The program began with a cross-cultural sharing session among participants, fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere. This was followed by “Unlocking Academic Publishing” by Prof. Asep Nandiyanto, an inspirational session titled “From Local Youth Movement to Global Impact” by Alfin Nurul Firdaus, and a Workshop on Using AI in Scientific Writing led by Dr. Didin Wahyudin. During the coaching session, participants were divided into small groups to collaboratively develop project papers.

●       Day Three (August 7, 2025): The session “Designing Sustainable Futures” was delivered by Dr. Dwi Purnomo, followed by group bonding activities and continued mentoring on article and scientific poster writing. The organizing committee also announced the results of the Video Challenge as a form of appreciation for participants’ creativity. The program concluded with a keynote lecture by Prof. Thomas Köhler titled “AI-Enhanced Digital Learning in TVET,” emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence in preparing a future-ready skilled workforce.

The program was implemented in a hybrid format, conducted offline at the Smartclass, 4th Floor, Building A, FPTI UPI, Bandung, and online via Zoom. This approach enabled participatory interaction while expanding international reach.

The GREAT Summer Program 2025 aims to:

1. Promote environmentally friendly vocational education through green skills and design thinking approaches.
2. Provide an international academic platform for students and educators to collaborate across cultures.
3. Equip participants with 21st-century skills, particularly in utilizing digital technology and artificial intelligence in learning and research processes.
4. Reinforce UPI’s commitment as a globally reputable university actively contributing to the development of sustainable vocational education.

With the conclusion of the GREAT Summer Program 2025, UPI has successfully delivered an international academic forum that not only enriches participants’ insights but also strengthens global collaboration networks. The program highlights the importance of integrating sustainability, technology, and cultural dimensions in vocational education. Moving forward, UPI, through FPTI, remains committed to continuing similar initiatives as part of its contribution to developing adaptive, innovative, and globally competitive higher education.

(Contributor: Yuyun Rohayati; Editor: Sarah Nabila)