Polibatam Metallurgical Engineering Technology Students Visit PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia to Prepare for Industrial Internships
BINTAN – Fifth-semester students from the Applied Bachelor’s Degree (D4) Program in Metallurgical Engineering Technology at Politeknik Negeri Batam (Polibatam) conducted an industrial visit to PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (PT BAI), located in the Galang Batang Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Bintan Regency, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The visit aimed to provide students with firsthand insights into mineral processing operations, industrial working environments, and the essential competencies required before undertaking their internships in the following year.
The visit involved students from the first cohort of the morning class, accompanied by two lecturers, Meschac Timothee Silalahi, S.T., M.T., and Oki Setiawan, S.T., M.Eng. This activity followed a similar industrial visit conducted on August 20, 2026, reflecting the study program’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the connection between academic learning and industrial practices.
The group departed from the Polibatam campus at 7:00 a.m. WIB, crossing the sea by speedboat before continuing their journey by road to PT BAI’s industrial facilities. The inter-island journey also provided students with valuable insights into the importance of logistical readiness, discipline, and punctuality in supporting industrial operations.
During the visit, students attended a presentation by company representatives introducing PT BAI’s profile and operational activities, particularly the processing of bauxite ore into alumina through the Bayer process. This process is an important application of hydrometallurgy in extractive metallurgy, closely related to the technical competencies students acquire throughout their studies.
In addition to the presentation and discussion sessions, students had the opportunity to observe the processing facilities and port area, gaining direct exposure to the company’s industrial operations. All activities were conducted in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, including the mandatory use of personal protective equipment, such as safety helmets, while visiting the plant.
The visit was also designed to familiarize students with internship requirements and workforce expectations in the industrial sector. As part of the proposed agenda, the study program sought discussions with the Human Resources Development (HRD) department regarding internship qualifications and recruitment procedures, as well as sessions with the processing and laboratory divisions to explore the technical skills required by the industry. An introduction to industrial control systems and laboratory facilities was also included in the proposed agenda to broaden students’ understanding of technological applications in mineral processing.
Polibatam’s Vice Director III, Dr. Muhammad Zaenuddin, S.Si., M.Sc., emphasized the importance of industrial visits in providing students with practical exposure to professional working environments and helping them prepare for their upcoming internships.
“Our fifth-semester students will soon begin their internships. By directly observing the refinery, port facilities, and the industry’s implementation of workplace safety practices, they can prepare themselves well ahead of their placements. We sincerely appreciate PT BAI for opening its doors to Polibatam students,” he stated.
Through this industrial visit, students are expected to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and its practical applications in industry. The experience also helps them better understand professional competency standards, workplace culture, and safety requirements that are essential to industrial operations.
The Metallurgical Engineering Technology Study Program expressed its sincere appreciation to the management of PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia for their warm welcome and the valuable learning opportunities provided. Moving forward, the study program plans to establish industrial visits as a regular activity for each student cohort, reaffirming Polibatam’s commitment to delivering industry-relevant vocational education and preparing competent, highly skilled, and workforce-ready graduates.
Greetings from Polibatam!
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