This year is the 14th year ITB has participated in the KNB program with a total acceptance of 18 students. There are 4 doctoral students and 14 master’s students from various countries in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The event was opened by remarks from the Director of ITB Non-Regular Education Prof. Andri Dian Nugraha. His speech was an introduction to new students and an appreciation for the ITB KNB team. "Appreciation for the organizing committee that has successfully implemented the program and I hope international students can enjoy learning at ITB," he said.

The opening speech was continued by the Head of the ITB Partnership Bureau, Prof. Dr. Taufiq Hidajat who emphasizes the concept of building a friendship while studying at ITB for international students. He hopes that once campus restrictions have opened, international students can immediately come to Bandung so they can start learning not only academically but also start making friends at ITB.

ITB Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Ir. Jaka Sembiring, M.Eng., expresses his welcome and appreciation to all international students. "Being a host for all of you in Bandung is certainly a very valuable honor for us," he said. In addition, Prof. Jaka Sembiring also gave a brief explanation of the education system at ITB, from faculties, directorates, lecturers, to laboratories.

The presentation was continued by the Head of the KNB Program Dr.rer.nat R. Mohammad Rachmat Sule who started by calling new students one by one for a brief introduction. On that occasion, one of the new students from the Electrical Engineering Masters Program, Sayed Shoaib said he was grateful for the opportunity he had been given to study at ITB. After that, the presentation was continued with the introduction of the ITB KNB program team, including the ranks of Indonesian Language Teachers for Foreign Speakers (BIPA).

Regarding the adaptation and campus life of international students, there is also a presentation entitled "Optimizing ITB Student Potential" prepared by the Sub-Directorate of ITB Counseling Guidance and presented by Ir. Hendri Syamsudin, PhD., as the Head of the Sub Directorate. As emphasized in his presentation, IQ is not everything in achieving academic success. Emotional intelligence (EI) is also very influential in productivity, stress management, and emotion management.

Reporter: Ananta Muji (Sistem dan Teknologi Informasi, 2019)
Translator: Aghisna Syifa Rahmani