Graduate School of State University of Yogyakarta announced the dissertation completion by Sulistio Mukti Cahyono, the head of Vocational Education Alignment Team, in the doctoral session of Graduate School of UNY. Sulistio managed to formulate an innovative alignment model of vocational education. The dissertation is a significant contribution that answers the needs of alignment between vocational education and the needed competencies in professional world.

The research done by this Educational Research and Evaluation student have two aims, that is finding the alignment model of vocational education and describing the stakeholders’ involvement in the alignment. Using quantitative approach through survey, the research involved stakeholders of various layers, including industrial vocational high school partners, provincial government in educational sector, and public that is represented by school committees.

Among 705 respondents that became the research sample across provinces in Indonesia, 375 respondents were from industrial sector, 155 respondents were from the government, and 175 respondents were from the public. Semi-closed questionnaire was used to collect the needed data. The questionnaire was also developed using differential semantic scale with seven alternative answers.

Sulistio’s research produces the alignment model of vocational education that consists of two main factors: resources and curriculum & learning. He found that the involvement of industry, people, and government in operational financing is the dominant indicator in the resources factor, while their involvement in learning material alignment is the dominant indicator in curriculum & learning factor.

Stakeholders involved in the vocational education alignment include the industry, people, and government. The stakeholders’ involvement takes in many forms, such as curriculum alignment, guest teachers, internship teachers, teachers’ training, structural and infrastructural supports, industrial professional practice, competence evaluation, training, public’s participation, professional training, educational financing, and cooperation.

With his dissertation, not only did Sulistio obtain his doctorate degree, but he also contributed in improving vocational education relevance with professional world. The findings is hoped to be the reference for vocational education hosts across Indonesia to continue improving the quality and effectivity of vocational education alignment in order to produce graduates who are ready to compete in the professional world.