Jember, Indonesia – Politeknik Negeri Jember (POLIJE) welcomed a delegation from INTACT Base Taiwan for a strategic discussion aimed at strengthening international academic collaboration and expanding study opportunities for Indonesian students. The meeting brought together representatives from both institutions to explore potential partnerships in higher education, talent development, and industry-linked scholarship programs.

Representing POLIJE were Agung Wahyono, Ph.D., Vice Director for Cooperation and Public Relations, accompanied by members of the Office of International Affairs (KUI). The INTACT Base Taiwan delegation consisted of Andre So, Director of INTACT Base Taiwan, Dody Hendarto, Coordinator of Studies, and M. Yanuar, Doctoral Studies Consultant at Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT). The visit served as a platform to introduce Taiwan's education initiatives and discuss future collaborative programs with POLIJE.

During the meeting, the INTACT delegation presented the INTENSE (Industrial Talents Education Special Program), a scholarship initiative supported by Taiwan's Ministry of Education. The program is designed to prepare international talents through industry-oriented education, internships, and career pathways in Taiwan, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), finance, and semiconductor industries.

The delegates explained that the INTENSE Program offers comprehensive support for students, including full scholarships, living allowances, internship opportunities, airfare, and employment prospects after graduation. Academic programs are delivered primarily in English while students are also encouraged to develop Mandarin language proficiency to enhance their competitiveness in Taiwan's rapidly growing industries.

Andre So highlighted the role of INTACT Base Taiwan-Indonesia as the official representative of Taiwan's Ministry of Education in promoting academic and industrial collaboration between Taiwan and Indonesia. Supported by several leading Taiwanese universities, including Chaoyang University of Technology (CYUT), the alliance currently connects dozens of universities in both countries and has facilitated educational opportunities for more than one thousand Indonesian students.

Agung Wahyono, Ph.D., expressed POLIJE's appreciation for the visit and emphasized the institution's commitment to expanding international partnerships that provide students and lecturers with global learning experiences. He noted that collaboration with INTACT Base Taiwan aligns with POLIJE's vision of producing globally competitive graduates equipped with industry-relevant competencies and international exposure.

The discussion also explored potential areas of cooperation, including student mobility, scholarship promotion, postgraduate studies, industry internships, faculty collaboration, and Mandarin language preparation programs. Both parties agreed that closer collaboration would create greater opportunities for POLIJE students and graduates to pursue advanced education and professional careers in Taiwan.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue communication and develop concrete collaborative initiatives between POLIJE and INTACT Base Taiwan. The partnership is expected to strengthen international engagement, enhance academic excellence, and contribute to the development of highly skilled human resources capable of meeting the demands of the global workforce.