Summary Number of 1st Batch of 
SEA-TVET Student Internship Exchange Programme

** Data as of 14 Nov 2018 

1. Background

The 1st Batch of TVET Student Internship Exchange was agreed by the participating institutions at the 2nd SEAMEO Polytechnic Network on 10 October 2017 at the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The meeting aimed to:

• Share and learn the successful practices of student and teacher exchange from the participating institutions

• Review and evaluate the implementation of the student and teacher exchange of SEAMEO Polytechnic Network

• Discuss and plan for the student exchange to be implemented in January 2018

The meeting was attended by 60 representatives who are management level (Directors, Deputy Directors, Heads of Programme, Heads of International Relations, and Heads of Academic Affairs) from TVET colleges, polytechnics, universities of technology in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. This also included representatives from Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, and Ministry of Research Technology and Higher Education, Indonesia.

2. Objectives of the TVET Student Internship Exchange Programme

1. To enhance global competitiveness, knowledge and technical skills of TVET students

2. To improve inter-cultural understanding, regional perspectives, and English communication of students

3. To provide employable opportunities for students

4. To create a sustainable partnership among polytechnics and TVET colleges/institutions in Southeast Asia

3. Participating Institutions and Students

The 12 institutions from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam confirmed the participation of 55 students in the 1st batch TVET Student Internship Exchange programme. The internship period started in January and February 2018 for 30 days. The participating institutions were as follows:

The above 55 students are from Diploma, Higher Diploma and TVET Bachelor level. The study areas of the students are as follows:

4. Internship Duration and Programme Structure

The period of the 1st Batch TVET Student Internship Exchange conducted for 1 month or 30 days.

The duration schedules of internship were as follows:

• 1st Travel Group: 8 January – 5 February 2018 (30 days)

• 2nd Travel Group: 20 January – 18 February 2018 (30days)

Within 30 days or 4 weeks of internship exchange period, the programme consisted of the following components:

• 1st week: Orientation, observing class at the receiving institutions

• 2nd – 4th week: Internship with companies arranged by the receiving institutions

• Excursions/cultural visits during the weekend.

5. Cost Sharing Agreement

The programme is based on a cost sharing basis. The parents have to support in arranging the airfare ticket, meals/daily allowance, passport fee, and international health insurance of the participating students.

The receiving institutions will be responsible for accommodation and transportation service from and to the nearest airport, tuition fees and expenses of other learning activities.

6. Coordination Mechanism and Implementation Procedures

The SEAMEO Secretariat is served as a Coordinating Agency among the participating institutions and decided the mapping list of student internship exchange based on the level of education, study area, and availability of company for internship. Starting from the signing of agreement at the 2nd SEAMEO Polytechnic Network Meeting in October 2017 until the actual student exchange in January 2018, the total time frame for coordination and implementation was about 3 months. The implementation process can be summarised as follows:

7. The Next 3rd SEAMEO Polytechnic Network Meeting in April 2018

The 3rd SEAMEO Polytechnic Network Meeting will be hosted by Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia on 5-6 April 2018.

The purposes of the meeting are to evaluate the 1st Batch of TVET Student Internship Exchange Programme and identify the mechanism for the next batch of TVET Student Internship Exchange Programme which will be implemented during July-September 2018.

8. How to Participate in the Programme

To participate in the 3rd SEAMEO Polytechnic Network Meeting and the 2nd Batch of TVET Student Internship Exchange, you can fill up the information of your institution by clicking the following online application form. The online application will be closed on 23 March 2018.

Online Application

9. Key Success Factors

The 1st Batch of SEA-TVET Student Internship Exchange was conducted successfully with the strong cooperation and commitment of the participating institutions. It can be concluded that the key success factors are as follows:

• Coordination and commitment of participating institutions and coordinators

• Closed coordination and communication between SEAMEO and participating institutions

• Excellence cooperation from coordinating teachers, mentors, and students

• Selection of qualified and enthusiastic students to participate in this programme

• Selection of international industrial partners to receive the students

• Individual online interview for all students to clarify the needs of industrial internship, and readiness of traveling

• Flexibility in accepting the students by the receiving institutions

• Excellence hospitality and accommodation arrangement of the receiving institutions

• Mentoring teacher and buddy assignment for students

10. Challenges

The challenges of this programme are as follows:

• Different academic period

• Difficulty for mapping the study areas and qualification levels of students among institutions from different countries

• Overwhelming of administrative coordination

• Tight timeline

• Selection of qualified students in English and academic performance

• Selection of international industrial partners for internship placement

• Understanding of participating institutions in the implementation mechanism

• Communication and coordination

• Follow-up of reports from students and coordinating teachers

11. Coordinator at SEAMEO Secretariat

SEAMEO Secretariat
Ms Piyapa Su-angavatin
SEA-TVET Coordinator
SEAMEO Secretariat, Bangkok, Thailand
Email: piyapa@seameo.org; tvet@seameo.org

Students’ List of 1st Batch TVET Student Internship Exchange 2018