Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) continues to expand its collaboration with industry partners by exploring a strategic partnership with PT Mirota KSM, one of Indonesia’s leading dairy and nutrition manufacturers based in Yogyakarta. The initiative reflects Polije’s commitment to aligning vocational education with industrial needs while creating broader opportunities for students, lecturers, and graduates.

The exploratory meeting focused on identifying potential areas of cooperation that could support both educational development and industrial innovation. Discussions included opportunities for internships, industrial training, applied research, product development, and workforce preparation that would enable students to gain direct exposure to real manufacturing environments.

As a company with more than five decades of experience in the dairy industry, PT Mirota KSM has established itself as a major producer of powdered milk and nutritional products distributed throughout Indonesia. The company also actively supports educational visits and industrial learning programs, making it a suitable partner for vocational institutions such as Polije.

Polije views collaboration with industry as a key component of its Teaching Factory (TEFA) and industry-based learning approach. Through strategic partnerships, the institution aims to ensure that its curriculum, practical training, and graduate competencies remain relevant to current industrial demands and technological developments.

One of the major benefits expected from the partnership is the expansion of structured internship opportunities. Students would have the chance to gain practical experience in production systems, quality control, food safety management, research and development, and business operations within a professional manufacturing environment.

The collaboration may also open pathways for joint research and innovation projects, particularly in food technology, nutrition, agribusiness, and product development. By combining Polije’s academic expertise with industrial experience from PT Mirota KSM, both institutions can contribute to the development of innovative products and sustainable business solutions.

In addition, the partnership is expected to strengthen graduate employability. Closer engagement with industry partners enables Polije to better understand workforce requirements and prepare students with the technical and professional competencies needed to succeed in competitive job markets.

Through its efforts to establish cooperation with PT Mirota KSM, Polije continues to demonstrate its commitment to building strong links between higher education and industry. The prospective partnership is expected to create mutual benefits, support innovation, enhance student learning experiences, and contribute to the development of highly skilled human resources for Indonesia’s food and nutrition sector.