SBM ITB welcomed 75 students from Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, on Wednesday (14/5), beginning a strategic academic partnership. The visiting students came from two faculties: the School of Informatics & IT (SIIT), focusing on IT professional development, and the School of Business, offering business-oriented programs.
The visit was memorable, featuring cultural exchanges, educational games, and warm student interactions, fostering cross-cultural friendship and cooperation. Ira Fachira, Ph.D. The coordinator of the SBM ITB International Partnership Division introduced SBM as a unique business school within a technological university.
We are a business school within a university of technology. We look to MIT as our inspiration and hope to become Indonesia’s version of MIT one day,” said Ira during her welcoming remarks.
In a light-hearted session, Ira asked the Temasek students who had visited Indonesia before. Many raised their hands, although most had only been to Bali. She hoped the students would enjoy their time in Bandung, experience authentic Indonesian hospitality, and forge meaningful connections with SBM ITB students.
The visitors engaged in games designed to spark cultural curiosity and encourage interaction. Through guided questions and group activities, the students discovered shared interests, laying the foundation for future collaboration.
A highlight of the visit was the “Get Business” game, an educational simulation created by SBM ITB’s Educational Games Laboratory (LEG). In this interactive experience, students played the roles of capital owners aiming to build property businesses.
Arief Rahmatsyah, creative developer at LEG, explained that the game teaches key business skills such as negotiation, communication, and strategic thinking. Students collect resources in the form of cards, many of which others own, and must negotiate to acquire what they need, weighing pros and cons to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.
Mika, a student from Temasek’s School of Informatics & IT and a member of the winning team, shared her thoughts on the experience.
“The campus is exquisite and well-organized. The facilities are excellent. I especially enjoyed the “Get Business” game because it opened my eyes to business strategies,” Mika said. “My strategy was to collect as much money as possible early on and then sell my cards at a high price to my teammates. Most importantly, I learned that communication is key in business negotiations.”
Anya, a student from Temasek’s Business School, also shared her impressions:
“It’s my first time in Bandung, and the city is big, beautiful, and rich in nature and culture. I loved the games SBM ITB provided, they allowed us to interact and learn. My SBM friends were invaluable and brought great energy throughout the event,” said Anya. “To succeed in business, I realized you must be willing to take risks. If I had to describe the game in three words, it would be unique, exciting, and innovative.”
Temasek Polytechnic’s visit was more than just a one-day event. It marked the start of a broader academic and cultural collaboration. It reflects SBM ITB’s ongoing commitment to fostering global perspectives and strengthening ties with international institutions. By welcoming international engagement, SBM ITB continues to establish itself as a leading business school in Indonesia, where learning, culture, and global connectivity converge.
