Activities

DESMA Center conducted a kick-off project of Strengthening tourism vocational schools (SMK) in Sumba Barat Daya. This event was held on 22 October 2020 at Hotel Sinar Tambolaka, Tambolaka, Sumba Barat Daya. This kick-off highlighted the commencement of the project officially. The project is carried out in collaboration of DESMA Center as implementing partner, and receive funding support from the William & Lily Foundation and Adaro Bangun Negeri Foundation. This program will facilitate to strengthen two tourism vocational schools in Tambolaka, Sumba Barat Daya: SMK Pancasila Tambolaka and SMKN 2 Tambolaka from August 2020 to July 2022.  

The kick-off was attended by Mr. Mathias M. Beeh, M.M., Head of Secondary Education, Education & Culture Office of NTT Province, and Assistant II Mr. Drs. Daud Lende Umbu Monto, representing the head of Sumba Barat Daya District (Mr. Dr. Kornelis Kodi Mete). The event is also attended by the principals of the facilitated tourism vocational schools: the Principal of SMK Pancasila Tambolaka; Mr. Aleks Rangga Pidja, S.H., M.Pd; the Principal of SMKN 2 Tambolaka Mr. Frans Kabora S.Pd; Ms. Wiwik Mahdayani, the Founder & Director of DESMA Center, and also the principals of tourism vocational schools in Sumba Barat Daya, relevant tourism industry actors and associations in Sumba Barat Daya district.

The kick off was initiated by the procession of welcoming dance Gaza Kako, a typical traditional Sumba dance performance by SMK Pancasila, and poetry reading by the students of SMKN 2 Tambolaka “Beri Aku Sumba” or “Give Me Sumba” by Taufik Ismail. The draping of the traditional cloth as a sign of honor in the Sumba culture to the distinguished guests was also conducted in the welcoming session prior the kick off was started.

Assistant II Mr. Drs. Daud Lende Umbu Monto in his welcome speech representing the head of District, expressed that the government is very thankful and fully supports this program. The government of Sumba Barat Daya stated that the Sumba Barat Daya district is in effort to close the poverty gap due to the low economy in the region. To overcome the challenges, the education level of the people in Sumba Barat Daya needs to be improved. According to him, the development of tourism is a shared responsibility. Sumba Barat Daya district was inaugurated in 2017. The area represents rich natural, cultural and maritime tourism attractions. One of the ways to increase the development of Sumba Barat Daya tourism is by implementing the development of human resources. The presence of tourism vocational schools in Sumba Barat Daya becomes a hope to generate stronger human resources in the field. Hence, the local government welcomes warmly the strengthening of tourism vocational schools project because it is in line with the program of Tujuh Jembatan Emas or Seven Golden Bridges in Sumba Barat Daya. Mr. Assistant II hoped this project could increase the capacity of the teachers and tourism vocational schools in Sumba Barat Daya to response the needs of tourism labours. The project is expected to catalyse the achievement of the Seven Golden Bridges program goals in Sumba Barat Daya district.   

Mr. Mathias M. Beeh, M.M. as the Head of Secondary Education of the Education & Culture Office, NTT Province expressed his highest appreciation to DESMA Center for the initiation of the project. He stated it is in line with the government program to reinforce the tourism industry through the strengthening of vocational school education system in Sumba Barat Daya. He also explained that the education office of NTT province is currently doing innovations for the development of tourism vocational schools. This is the challenges faced in tourism industry and providing career direction to tourism vocational school graduates in NTT. Furthermore, he explained that the number of tourism industries in NTT is relatively inequal to the tourism graduates, therefore the innovations are needed to meet the needs of labours in tourism industry. It was also told that the governor of NTT currently pushes the joint program with overseas to send interns with a target of 10,000 students; currently there are 25 students conducted their internship overseas under the program and 1500 students are on progress to be facilitated. Mr. Mathias expected with the assistance of DESMA Center, the quality of education at the tourism vocational schools in Sumba Barat Daya can be improved.   

Founder & Director of DESMA Center, Ms. Wiwik Mahdayani conveyed the project activity plan and objectives; and this project aims to support various stakeholders to strengthen the tourism vocational school ecosystem in Sumba Barat Daya. This activity will give positive impact to the tourism vocational schools education and promotes that stronger education is the source of achieving a more sustainable tourism development and management. Moreover, Ms. Wiwik Mahdayani added that this activity has three main objectives; Strengthening the advocacy for local governments to include tourism vocational schools as part of the regional economic development programs, capacity building of the tourism vocational school as preparation for LSP P1 and to improve the linkages and networks of tourism vocational school with relevant tourism industry.

After Q&A session with all participants, the event was followed by the signing of the joint project MoU between DESMA Center whose represented by DESMA Center Project Manager Sumba Mr. Boyke Hutapea with the Principal of SMK Pancasila Mr. Aleks Rangga Pidja, S.H., M.Pd and the Principal of SMKN 2 Tambolaka Mr. Frans Kabora S.Pd., witnessed by Mr. Mathias M. Beeh, M.M and Ms. Wiwik Mahdayani. The Woleka dance by SMK Pancasila students concluded the event.

The project is expected to improve the quality of tourism vocational school education in Sumba Barat Daya to achieve improved human resources in tourism to response the needs and challenges of Sumba Barat Daya tourism industry and in NTT province. We extend our Greetings of Sustainable Tourism. SMK Bisa SMK Hebat!