Farewell to Priyono Eko Sanyoto, A Pioneer of Vocational Education from Batam
BATAM – One morning in 2002, a small delegation from Batam set foot on the grand campus of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Among them stood a calm yet visionary figure, Priyono Eko Sanyoto. At that time, he had only recently been appointed as the Director of Politeknik Batam. He came not merely to visit, but to learn, absorb, and envision the future.
The visit, facilitated by the Head of the Batam Authority, Ismeth Abdullah, became one of the key moments in the development of vocational education in Batam. However, for Eko—as he was commonly known—his journey had begun long before that. He understood that vocational education could not stand alone; it had to be closely connected to industry.
Thus, even before international collaborations were established, Eko had already been knocking on the doors of factories and companies across Batam. He built trust, initiated internship programs, and fought to ensure that students had the opportunity to learn directly from the working world. The results were clear—students not only learned, but were also absorbed into the workforce.
From there, slowly but surely, the foundation of Politeknik Batam grew stronger. A campus that was once underestimated has now transformed into a respected vocational institution. Achievements followed one after another, not only at the national level, but also internationally.
However, for those who knew him closely, Eko’s greatest legacy was not merely institutional success. He was known as a humble, courteous, and attentive individual. He led without much noise, yet with a presence that was deeply felt through his example.
Surya Makmur Nasution, Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the Batam City Council, is among those who hold such memories. Reflecting on his acquaintance with Eko during the NTU visit—when Surya was still a journalist—he described Eko as a person of integrity who worked quietly but left a profound impact. “Batam, even the Riau Islands, owe him a great debt,” he remarked briefly, a statement that speaks volumes beyond words.
Today, that figure has passed on, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Yet like many pioneers, his legacy does not fade. It lives on within the systems he built, within the students he inspired, and within the future he had long envisioned.
In classrooms, on factory floors, and in the dreams of Batam’s youth, the name Priyono Eko Sanyoto will continue to live on.
Source: RRI Batam
#Polibatam#HumasKerjasamaPolibatam#PakEko#InMemoriam