Polije Welcomes International Students to Its New Academic Year

RRI.CO.ID, Jember - Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) has welcomed 3,290 new students for the 2026/2027 academic year, including seven international students from several countries. The new students officially began their campus life through the New Student Campus Life Orientation Program, known as PKKMB, on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

The arrival of international students marks a new development in Polije’s academic environment and provides opportunities for cross-cultural interaction on campus. In addition to pursuing their studies, the international students will have opportunities to experience Indonesian culture and community life while studying in Jember, East Java.

One of the international students, Saleh Ahmed Nasser Ali from Yemen, said that he was excited to begin his higher education at Polije. He chose the institution because of its learning approach, which emphasizes practical experience and hands-on education.

“I am very happy to study at Polije because it provides the practical experience and learning that I need,” Saleh said. His experience reflects the growing opportunities for international students to pursue practice-oriented higher education in Indonesia.

The PKKMB program also received appreciation from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. Director of Learning and Student Affairs Beny Bandanadjaja congratulated the new students and welcomed Polije’s efforts to expand access to higher education, including in disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions.

“We welcome Polije’s efforts to support equitable access to education, including through the development of educational programs in disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions,” Beny said. He added that such initiatives are important in expanding opportunities for higher education across Indonesia.

Polije Director Saiful Anwar said PKKMB was not merely an introduction to campus facilities, but also an opportunity to establish students’ character and academic culture from the beginning of their university journey. The orientation included sessions on preventing violence, avoiding drugs, and building a safe, respectful, and inclusive academic environment free from bullying.

“We hope new students can adapt quickly and take part in their education as expected by their parents,” Saiful said. With the arrival of thousands of new students, including international students, Polije aims to strengthen an inclusive and practice-oriented vocational education ecosystem while expanding opportunities for cross-cultural engagement.