Faculty of Vocational Studies UNHAS Strengthens International Collaboration through Erasmus+ APPLIED SOCIO Workshop in Bandung
The Faculty of Vocational Studies (FV), Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) participated in the Workshop on the Preparation of the Enhancing Indonesian Higher Education in Applied Social Sciences through EU Collaboration (APPLIED SOCIO) Project Proposal organized by the Vocational School of Universitas Padjadjaran. The two-day workshop is part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme funded by the European Union, aiming to foster international partnerships and enhance the quality of higher education through global collaboration on 16 – 17 October 2025.
UNHAS was represented by Prof. Dr. Ida Leida Maria, SKM., MKM., MSc., PhD and Nur Lisani, S.ST.Par., M.Sc. The event was attended by distinguished speakers including Prof. Kai Handel, Project Coordinator from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and Natalya Sharavatova, Project Co-Coordinator, alongside representatives from Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands, and partner institutions in Indonesia such as Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Sebelas Maret, IPB University, and Universitas Padjadjaran as the host.
The workshop, held at the Savoy Homann Hotel, Bandung, carried the theme APPLIED SOCIO. It served as a platform for initiating the joint development of a collaborative proposal under the Erasmus+ CBHE 2026–2028 framework.
The Erasmus+ CBHE program is a key action of the European Union that supports the modernization, accessibility, and internationalization of higher education institutions (HEIs) in partner countries. CBHE projects are designed to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions in Europe and across the world through innovative curriculum design, staff training, research collaboration, and institutional development. Through this framework, Indonesian universities gain opportunities to enhance academic capacity, align vocational education with international standards, and integrate social innovation and sustainability into their teaching and learning systems. The Erasmus+ CBHE initiative also emphasizes inclusivity, employability, and the relevance of higher education to the needs of society and the labor market.
The APPLIED SOCIO project, which stands for Enhancing Indonesian Higher Education in Applied Social Sciences through EU Collaboration, aims to address the growing need for globally competent graduates in the field of social sciences. The project seeks to modernize vocational and applied programs in Indonesia by introducing pedagogical innovations such as teaching factories, experiential learning, social entrepreneurship, and community-based internships. During the workshop, participants engaged in sessions on needs analysis, joint problem identification, capacity-building strategies, and proposal structuring for submission to the Erasmus+ CBHE 2026 call. Discussions also explored opportunities for creating Centers of Teaching Excellence in social sciences and mechanisms for ensuring project sustainability beyond the grant period.
Participation of the FV UNHAS in this international workshop reaffirms its strategic commitment to advancing global cooperation and strengthening vocational education through evidence-based, innovative, and inclusive approaches. According to Prof. Dr. Ida Leida Maria, the collaboration opens doors for UNHAS to take part in developing a future-oriented model of vocational education that bridges the gap between academia, industry, and community development. Meanwhile, Nur Lisani, S.ST.Par., M.Sc., emphasized that the APPLIED SOCIO initiative aligns with UNHAS’s mission to promote sustainable, socially responsible, and internationally recognized vocational programs.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among all participants to continue working collaboratively in finalizing the project proposal for submission to the European Commission under the Erasmus+ CBHE 2026–2028 cycle. Through this engagement, UNHAS continues to demonstrate leadership and innovation in strengthening its international networks and ensuring that vocational education contributes meaningfully to Indonesia’s social transformation and global competitiveness.
