Polibatam Hosts FDPNI: Vocational Synergy and Global Professionalism
BATAM – Politeknik Negeri Batam (Polibatam) was officially appointed as the host of the prestigious Forum of Directors and Chairs of Dharma Wanita of State Polytechnics and State Community Academies across Indonesia (FDPNI). The major event was held over three days, from 12 to 14 February 2026. The main activities took place at the Polibatam Auditorium, an iconic facility that welcomed leaders of vocational higher education institutions from across the archipelago. The meeting aimed to strengthen coordination and formulate strategic steps for the future of vocational education in Indonesia.
The event was formally opened by the Deputy for Investment and Business Development of BP Batam, Fary Djemi Francis. His presence reaffirmed the full support of the regional authority for the development of human resources aligned with real industrial needs.
In his remarks, Fary Djemi Francis recalled the historical establishment of Polibatam, which was initially initiated by BP Batam. Its primary vision was to create a strong link and match model between the education sector and workforce demands within Batam’s industrial zone. He also presented the strategic profile of BP Batam and the dynamic development of the Batam investment landscape. Through this presentation, directors of polytechnics from across Indonesia gained concrete insights into how the investment ecosystem requires independent and talented vocational human resources.
The Director of Polibatam, Bambang Hendrawan, warmly welcomed all delegates. As the host, he expressed his aspiration that every vocational student should experience the quality of educational facilities available at Polibatam as a benchmark for competency development.
One of the most crucial agendas of the forum was the socialization and discussion regarding the establishment of the Association of Engineering Technicians and Engineering Technologists of Indonesia (ITERATI). This initiative responds to the urgent need for a professional body representing polytechnic graduates nationwide.
The ITERATI session emphasized the importance of international recognition for Indonesian engineering technicians to ensure global workforce mobility. This refers to the standards of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA), a global alliance that assures the quality of engineering education and professional competence. It was explained that the IEA framework includes international agreements such as the Sydney Accord for engineering technology programs and the Dublin Accord for engineering technicians. ITERATI aims to ensure that Indonesian Diploma 1 to Diploma 4 graduates are included within this global recognition framework.
Through international registration under this scheme, Indonesian professionals will gain broader career opportunities on the global stage. This recognition goes beyond formal titles; it certifies competencies that enable Indonesian technicians to contribute to international-scale engineering projects.
In addition to professional development issues, the forum also held a public hearing session concerning the Draft Law on Higher Education. The session was attended by representatives of the Expertise Body of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia to directly gather aspirations from vocational education administrators.
The discussion of the Draft Law marked an important momentum to strengthen the legal framework for vocational higher education in Indonesia. The goal is to ensure that future regulations support curriculum flexibility and reinforce collaboration between higher education institutions and industry partners.
Meanwhile, the Chairs of Dharma Wanita of State Polytechnics and State Community Academies across Indonesia conducted coordination meetings and introductory sessions to strengthen solidarity among members from various regions. As a cultural highlight, participants were invited to explore local heritage through a batik workshop. They enthusiastically learned the process of waxing, drawing, and coloring Batik Gonggong, a distinctive batik motif from Batam City.
The FDPNI 2026 series concluded with a shared commitment to advancing vocational education in Indonesia. With initiatives such as ITERATI and strengthened regulatory support, Polibatam and polytechnics across the country are ready to produce outstanding graduates who are globally recognized.
Salam Polibatam!
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