JABAR EKSPRES – Batam State Polytechnic, Riau Islands encourages student exchange or lecturer exchange at universities in the ASEAN region.

Batam State Polytechnic Director Uuf Brajawidagda in Batam on Wednesday said about 30 students are currently participating in the program.

“Several times we have also received students from Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Then we have also sent students to the Malaysian Polytechnic or in the Philippines,” Uuf said, Wednesday (5/31).

There are several student exchange programs between ASEAN regions that are participated in by Batam State Polytechnic, one of which is Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SEA-TVET).

“We participate in exchange programs organized by several institutions, ministries, SEA TVET, and so on. Some we also do between universities, but limited,” he said.

He explained that the student exchange is not only carried out for learning on campus, but there are also those who do internships.

Uuf said, Malaysia and the Philippines are countries that many Batam State Polytechnic students follow for student exchange programs.

“Most of our students go to Malaysia, the Philippines also before the pandemic. This mobility activity is also very dependent on the openness of a country. During the pandemic yesterday, everything was closed, and now it is still about to be restocked again,” he said.

According to Uuf, joining the student exchange program is one of the learning platforms in adding insight, problem solving, and getting to know the culture in the country.

“So it is not only related to lecture content, but there are many aspects that students can learn when in a foreign country,” he said.