Surabaya, September 2026 – Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS), through the PENS International Cooperation Office (PICO), successfully held the inaugural PENS International Day 2026 on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Hosted at the Innovation Center on the 5th floor of the Pascasarjana Building, the event was specifically designed as an interactive space uniting students with the international community, foreign educational representatives, and global partners within a single collaborative ecosystem.
The event officially commenced with opening remarks from a representative of the Vice Director of PENS and the Head of the International Cooperation Office (KUI) PENS, Prof. Iwan Syarif. A vibrant cross-cultural atmosphere was set right from the start through a traditional dance performance by the PENS Dance Student Club (UKM Tari), welcoming distinguished guests, students of the International Undergraduate Program (IUP), and international students awarded the Developing Countries Partnership (KNB) scholarship.
PICO PENS Advisor and initiator of the event, Dr.-Ing. Hestiasari Rante, S.T., M.Sc., explained that the initiative stemmed from observing that PENS already possesses a strong international academic environment—ranging from visiting international lecturers and foreign interns to KNB scholars from across Asia and Africa, IUP students, and numerous overseas institutional partnerships.
“Until now, there had not been a dedicated event that collectively served as a platform to bring our students together with these international communities and partners. Therefore, PENS International Day was designed as an interactive space to unite the various international elements at PENS, celebrate diversity, and simultaneously provide broader international exposure to our students,” stated Dr.-Ing. Hestiasari Rante.
To achieve these objectives—particularly in equipping IUP and KNB students with essential insights into language preparation, global mobility, and international collaboration—the main session featured three keynote speakers from strategic partner institutions: Gabriela Bakara (Campus France Indonesia), Vincent Padaré (Institut Français Indonésie / IFI Surabaya), and Andrew So (INTACT Base Taiwan-Indonesia). The selection of these three institutions was driven by PENS’ established Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple universities in France and Taiwan.
Through presentations and an interactive talk show moderated by Rimsha, attendees gained direct access to information regarding foreign language preparation, student exchange programs, internships, double degree tracks, and postgraduate scholarship opportunities. Hearing directly from representatives of Campus France, IFI, and INTACT provided students with concrete guidance on navigating international educational pathways.
Beyond academic mobility, the event also served as a vibrant stage to celebrate cultural diversity and foster global competence. Following the panel discussion, the atmosphere was livened up with an ice-breaking session, a solo vocal performance by Samar (a KNB student from Yemen), and a creative performance by IUP student representatives.
The highlight of the cultural celebration was the KNB Cultural Fashion Show, where international and local students proudly showcased traditional attire and introduced the cultural heritage of their home regions—spanning Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burundi, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, alongside Indonesian cultural representations from East Nusa Tenggara and Bali. The main stage agenda concluded with a collective sing-along by all KNB students before participants transitioned to the Free Roam session to explore country information booths and an interactive world map installation.
Looking ahead, PENS International Day is expected to cultivate long-term global networks and cross-cultural appreciation among students.
“I hope PENS International Day will grow into an even larger and more diverse annual agenda at PENS, involving more partners from various countries and presenting wider international opportunities for our students. It should not merely be a ceremonial event, but truly serve as a platform that connects PENS students with the international world,” Dr.-Ing. Hestiasari Rante concluded.