Ir. Eko Visionary Legacy: From NTU Collaboration to the Rise of a World-Class Politeknik Batam

BATAM – I came to know Priyono Eko Sanyoto during a visit to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2002. At that time, the Head of the Batam Authority, Ismeth Abdullah, invited a number of journalists to join the visit to the neighboring country. Eko, who had just been appointed as the Director of Politeknik (Poltek) Batam (2001–2020), was exploring potential collaboration with NTU. The goal was for Poltek Batam to learn from NTU’s experience in managing vocational higher education.

Even before the NTU visit, Eko had already initiated partnerships with several industrial companies in Batam to provide internship opportunities for Poltek Batam students. And it worked. Students were eventually allowed to intern in various industrial companies, and many of them were even directly recruited into employment.

Today, Poltek Batam has grown into a widely recognized vocational higher education institution in Indonesia, with numerous international achievements. Batam—and even the Riau Islands—owe a great deal to the late figure, as through his dedicated leadership, Poltek Batam has become the remarkable institution it is today.

This is just a brief reflection of my memories of the late Priyono Eko Sanyoto, who passed away while engaging in his morning routine of cycling on Saturday, April 11, 2026. He suddenly experienced fatigue. Life and destiny are in the hands of Allah SWT, beyond human knowledge. Pak Eko, whom I knew as a person of integrity, humility, politeness, and willingness to listen, is now gone. May Allah SWT reward his continuous charity and grant him a place in Jannatun Na’im.

Polibatam#HumasKerjasamaPolibatam#PakEko#InMemoriam#PolibatamMourns#LegacyPolibatam#PakEkoLegacy#Inspiration#Dedication#VocationalEducation#Batam#Kepri