(FEB NEWS) The Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR), successfully held a Guest Lecture entitled “Does Vocational Education Align with Labor Market Needs? Evidence from Indonesia” on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Miendrowo Hall, 4th Floor of the Main Building of FEB UNAIR, Surabaya.

The event was officially opened with remarks from Prof. Rossanto Dwi Handoyo, SE, M.Si., Ph.D., as Head of the Department of Economics, FEB UNAIR.

The event featured Noa Yokogawa, a doctoral student at the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies at Kobe University, Japan, as the keynote speaker. The discussion was moderated by Wahyu Wisnu Wardana, SE, M.Ec., and also attended by Dr. Miguel Angel Esquivias Padilla, MSE, further enhancing the academic atmosphere.

The guest lecture was attended by FEB UNAIR students who actively participated in the discussion session. This enthusiasm reflected the students' strong interest in examining the relationship between the education system and job market needs in Indonesia.

In her presentation, Noa Yokogawa presented research-based findings on the extent to which vocational education in Indonesia is able to meet labor market demands. She highlighted the pressing challenges of preparing a workforce that meets industry needs, while also opening up opportunities for future improvements in vocational education policy.

In addition to presenting research findings, this activity also encouraged students to think critically about how the education system can better prepare graduates for the workforce. The interactive discussion provided a valuable learning experience for all participants.

Overall, this guest lecture emphasized the importance of aligning vocational education with the realities of the job market. For students and participants, this activity provided broad insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the education and employment systems in Indonesia.