The Industrial Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI), Islamic University of Indonesia (UII), sent two of its students to participate in the 2026 Student Exchange Program at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) in Vietnam. The two students are Kynan Khairan Ramadhan from the UII Industrial Engineering International Program (IP), class of 2024, and Najma Tsakiba from the UII Industrial Engineering program, class of 2025. This program is the result of a new collaboration between UII’s Industrial Engineering program and HCMUT, one of the leading engineering universities in Southeast Asia.

Embracing Opportunities, Gaining New Experiences

The opportunity to participate in the student exchange program at HCMUT stemmed from different yet equally strong motivations for Kynan and Najma. Kynan had been planning to participate in a student exchange from the very beginning. He immediately seized the opportunity when UII’s Industrial Engineering Department established a new partnership with HCMUT. For him, the destination country wasn’t the primary consideration, as he was more focused on gaining experience and furthering his learning.

“The most important thing for me is just the experience and learning,” said Kynan.

This statement shows that Kynan views the exchange program as an opportunity to enrich his experiences while expanding his learning process. Najma’s perspective is not much different. In fact, she had already been convinced of the value of UII’s Industrial Engineering program even before officially becoming a student. She believes this program can help bridge her dreams to the international stage. Guided by the principle that “Opportunities come to those who are ready and deserve them,” she took the bold step of becoming the sole applicant for the Class of 2025. Najma also had specific reasons for choosing Vietnam. She observed that the country is experiencing rapid economic and manufacturing growth in Asia. So studying there could provide a strategic perspective for aspiring engineers.

“Studying at the heart of this dynamic new industry provides a foundation of strategic perspective that is invaluable for an aspiring engineer,” said Najma.

New Experiences, New Challenges

As their departure approached, Kynan and Najma had different yet complementary expectations for their experience at HCMUT. Kynan looked forward to the opportunity to experience firsthand the level of competitiveness in Vietnam’s education system. Meanwhile, Najma hoped to make the most of HCMUT’s engineering-focused academic environment. She looked forward to engaging in discussions and exchanging insights with faculty members and international students.

Amid this enthusiasm, both also faced their own challenges. One of them was Najma, who had to divide her focus between preparing for her departure and her academic responsibilities at UII. The visa application process and administrative requirements coincided with her final exam schedule. This required her to manage her time carefully to ensure both responsibilities were handled effectively.

This situation required Najma to remain focused and calm despite her packed schedule. Her parents’ support and prayers provided encouragement throughout the preparation process. Full assistance from the UII Industrial Engineering Program also helped her complete the preparations leading up to her departure.

Taking the Next Step, Sharing Inspiration

Through this program, Kynan hopes to gain new knowledge, expand his circle of friends, and experience life abroad. He also wants to discover new ideas and opportunities during his time in Vietnam that he can later bring back and apply in Indonesia. For Kynan, the opportunity to study abroad is worth pursuing even though there’s always a chance of failure.

“It’s better to fail while trying than to be consumed by regret for never having tried at all,” Kynan said.

Najma shares similar hopes but with a broader perspective. She wants to maintain the consistency of her achievements while opening up new opportunities through her experience at HCMUT. She hopes this experience will help her gain insight into international manufacturing standards. Najma also aims to bring back a global mindset and strategic network to support her future endeavors. For Najma, the courage to seize opportunities is a crucial step toward gaining new experiences.

“It’s better to take a step forward and face the possibility of failure than to remain stuck in curiosity and regret for never having tried at all. Dream big, pray bigger,” Najma advised.

Kynan and Najma’s journey at HCMUT is a step toward broadening their international experience and horizons. We hope that both of them will gain valuable knowledge, experience, and connections while participating in the program. It is hoped that these experiences will support their future endeavors and bring new perspectives to the Industrial Engineering Department at UII.

Nisrina Nur Masrefa