A Blue approach to assessing Maritime and Fisheries Vocational Education A case in Ambon, Kupang and Bitung

The notion of "blue economy" has evolved as a significant way to promoting sustainable development of coasts and oceans, with a direct impact on economic growth. However, the principles have remained ambiguous, particularly for use in the development of vocational education and its impact to coastal fisheries communities’ village. The paper provides a framework to measure the adoption of the green and blue economy concept and uses the framework to analyze the effectiveness of the vocational program in improving the current economic and societal values of the oceans, which could be a novel approach to address key ocean economy challenges. The Blue Education Maturity Model (BEM) was developed to assess the efficacy of vocational school programs in integrating the triple helix: education, business, and coastal village community. The BEM is an effective evaluation tool based on BAN-PT and Blue Economy Company Index (BECdex), and Risk Maturity Model (RMM) broken down into five variables, 10 dimensions, and 20 competency items that show where the HMM program stands on five levels of maturity, ranging from Ad hoc (1) to Optimized (5). Data was obtained at the three vocational schools in Eastern Indonesia through observation and response of questionnaire. With a total score of 80, 78, 79, or a maturity level of 3 (Repeatable), the vocational school of maritime and fisheries in Kupang, Ambon, and Bitung,, has established a hybrid green and blue economy in policies, curriculum, research and innovation, and community development. The school's strategies include: improving curriculum, capacity building in entrepreneurship, sustainable coastal aquaculture, research and innovation for economic growth and environmental sustainability.