BALI – Bali Tourism Polytechnic (BiTP) has reached a significant academic
milestone with the official inauguration of Prof. Dr. Irene Hanna H. Sihombing, SE.,
MM., CHE., as a Full Professor in Human Resources Management. The ceremony
served as the centerpiece of the Open Senate Session during the institution’s 48th
Anniversary (Dies Natalis) at Joop Ave Hall on Friday (March 27, 2026).
This inauguration marks a historic chapter for the institution, as Prof. Irene becomes
only the second Full Professor in the history of Bali Tourism Polytechnic. It is a rare
and prestigious achievement for a vocational higher education institution under the
auspices of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.
In her scientific oration, titled “Building the Future of Tourism Professionals: The
Strategic Role of State Tourism Polytechnics in Shaping Student Learning Motivation
and Career Decisions,” Prof. Irene emphasized the critical role of campuses in
designing ecosystems that effectively steer students toward successful career paths.
Martini Mohamad Paham, MBA., the Deputy for Resource and Institutional Affairs
at the Ministry of Tourism, expressed high praise for this achievement, noting that the
addition of a new Professor is a vital asset for national tourism human resource
development.
“The theme of this year’s anniversary is profoundly relevant. In the
context of HR development, vocational education plays a strategic role
not just in producing skilled graduates, but in molding the character and
career motivation of students,” Martini stated in her remarks.
She added that Prof. Irene’s presence is expected to strengthen Bali Tourism
Polytechnic standing as a premier center for applied tourism research. This, she
noted, is essential for fostering stronger collaboration between academia, industry,
and the government.
The Director of Bali Tourism Polytechnic, Dr. Drs. Ida Bagus Putu Puja, M.Kes.,
described the inauguration as a tangible testament to the institution’s ongoing
transformation. He asserted that strengthening academic capacity is the bedrock of
the campus’s vision to become a World-Class Tourism Polytechnic.
“The addition of a Professor is a key indicator of our strengthening position as a
Center of Excellence. We aim for every innovation born here to provide real-world
solutions for the challenges of the global tourism industry,” Dr. Puja emphasized.
Beyond the inauguration, the event also celebrated the launch of the book
“KAMALA: Society and Culture in the Dynamics of Green Tourism.” The publication
serves as evidence of the faculty’s research contributions toward sustainability a
defining trend in the future of global tourism.
The Open Senate Session concluded with solemnity and a sense of shared purpose.
The appointment of Prof. Irene as the institution’s second Professor is expected to
act as a catalyst for other faculty members to continue elevating their academic
standing and the quality of scientific publications within Poltekpar Bali. **
