The background to the establishment of the UNDIP Vocational School stems from Undip’s current situation regarding the governance of its Diploma-III program. Until 2016, the Diploma-III program at Undip was managed by each faculty. With a clear demarcation between vocational and academic education, the Diploma-3 program at UNDIP was brought together under a single management, the UNDIP Vocational School. Following the change in UNDIP’s status from a Public Service Agency (BLU) to a State University with Legal Entity (PTN BH) status in 2015, based on Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 52 of 2015 concerning the UNDIP Statutes, as well as Statute, Regulation No. 4 of 2016 concerning Senate approval of the establishment of the vocational school, UNDIP needed to develop an integrated system for managing the Diploma study programs currently run by each faculty.

Based on Undip Rector’s Decree No. 1250/UN7.P/HK/2016 concerning the Establishment of the Undip Vocational School, the Undip Vocational School was established as a platform for applied study programs, including diploma (as of 2018), applied bachelor’s, professional programs, applied master’s, and applied doctoral programs (sub-specialization).

With the establishment of a separate Vocational School, the development of these professional applied bachelor’s programs can be more easily implemented in a more integrated and targeted manner. Current global industrial developments and government programs to develop holistic human resources to compete with other developed countries require skilled and professional graduates in their fields. Meeting these challenges is crucial for the competence of graduates from various disciplines.

The Asian region is recognized by EU countries as a producer of highly reliable, competent, and highly integrated vocational workers. Therefore, a framework is needed to sharpen and enhance the skills of graduates, enabling them to increase productivity for industrial advancement.

The advancement of vocational education in the Asian region has been taken into account since the implementation of AFTA and the AEC. The competency of vocational graduates is highly influential, in line with the increasing demand for skilled workers by domestic and international industries. In line with the development direction of vocational education programs, from undergraduate, applied bachelor’s, applied master’s, to applied doctoral levels, Undip established the Undip Vocational School in 2016.

2018 was the final year for student admissions for the diploma program, and in 2019, 11 applied undergraduate programs were opened at the Vocational School. The Tax Accounting (SARTER) study program at the UNDIP Vocational School was opened based on Rector’s Decree No. 521/UN7/HK/2019. On December 17, 2019, it received a minimum accreditation grade (C) from BAN-PT, and the Applied Tax Accounting Bachelor’s program has been widely accepted by the community.