Activities

Author: Dani Fauzi

DESMA Center conducted an intensive monitoring and evaluation (MoneEv) activity in the third year of implementing the TVET for Sustainable Tourism Program, which took place from July 13-17, 2025 in Sumba. The activity aimed to assess the program’s effectiveness, identify the various challenges encountered, and develop strategic recommendations to support the sustainability of the initiatives already undertaken.

The MonEv team, consisting of Aqil Wilda Arief and Dani Fauzi from DESMA Center Jakarta, involved multiple stakeholders in a structured and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation process. These included school principals, teachers, and students from the supported vocational tourism schools (SMK Pariwisata), as well as partners from the related tourism industry sector.

In the program’s third year, the evaluation results showed that the initiative remains highly relevant to the needs of beneficiary tourism vocational schools. A personal, contextual, and inclusive approach was applied to ensure the program addressed local challenges, ranging from limited resources to the need for strengthening teacher and student capacities. The program also successfully bridged the gap between vocational education and the tourism industry, while reinforcing a positive culture within tourism education institutions.

In terms of effectiveness, various activities such as accreditation training, project-based learning, anti-bullying campaigns, teacher internships in Bali, comparative studies and shared learning with NHI Bandung Tourism Polytechnic, master classes and guest teachers, soft skills training, and job fairs were implemented holistically and in an integrated manner. Teachers acquired new skills that were directly applied in classroom teaching, while students showed increased motivation, confidence, and readiness to enter the workforce. The participatory approach of the DESMA Center team encouraged active involvement from all school elements affected by the program, including principals, teachers, and students.

The program also demonstrated sustainable impacts. Schools have begun independently continuing various initiatives, such as soft skills training, environmental preservation and waste reduction campaigns, and the integration of positive values into school governance. A culture of collaboration with the tourism industry has been further strengthened, and several local innovations—such as the use of mini hotels, laundry units, and educational software for both learning and hands-on practice—have become concrete steps toward long-term program sustainability.

In addition to the five partner vocational schools, the MonEv activities also targeted industry partners, namely SIMA Hotel and Sinar Tambolaka Hotel. This direct engagement aimed to assess the extent to which collaboration between schools and the world of work has been established, and to gather input regarding student readiness and competencies in meeting the demands of a sustainable tourism industry. Evaluation results revealed that both hotels expressed positive appreciation for the improved quality of intern students, particularly in terms of work ethic, communication skills, and mastery of practical abilities.

This monitoring and evaluation activity is part of the TVET for Sustainable Tourism Development in Sumba Program, implemented by DESMA Center.