CHINA – Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) is strengthening its international presence by sending a representative to China. Dr. Elly Kurniawati, a lecturer in the Food Engineering Technology Study Program, represented Polije in a Smart Agriculture training program.

The strategic program, a collaboration between HOPE Indonesia and Jiaxing Vocational Technical College, runs from August 15 to September 15, 2026. The program enables lecturers to explore smart agriculture technologies and modern industrial automation.

Elly joined other participants to study horticulture integration, pest management, and the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture. The delegation also visited modern robotic farms and virtual simulation laboratories.

The initiative reflects Polije’s commitment to updating its curriculum based on global industry needs. Knowledge gained in China is expected to enrich student learning and strengthen practical education at Polije.

“Advances in modern agriculture require integrated support from government policies, educational institutions, and industry,” said Polije representative Dr. Elly Kurniawati.

Elly explained that China’s progress is supported by strong applied research collaboration between industry and higher education institutions. She believes this integration is highly relevant to strengthening the vocational education ecosystem at Polije.

“We will apply the knowledge of food processing technology and automation to support Polije’s development,” Dr. Elly Kurniawati added.

Elly emphasized that Polije is ready to integrate knowledge gained from the training into its course modules. This approach is expected to help lecturers’ and students’ research better address the needs of the global food industry.

Participation in the international program demonstrates the strategic role of vocational higher education institutions in supporting food security. The collaboration also expands Polije’s academic network at the global level.