Bandung – On March 3, 2026, the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) welcomed a delegation from the Institute of Science Tokyo (Tokyo Tech), Japan, to discuss strengthening academic collaboration at all degree levels.

The Tokyo Tech delegation consisted of Prof. Nakashima, Prof. Equo Kobayashi, and Yasuko Ichinose-san. They were warmly welcomed by FTMD ITB lecturers: Dr. Eng. Ir. Ferryanto, S.T., M.T.; Dr. Yorina Sarah Francoise Lantang, S.T. M.Eng.; Dr. Eng. Gea Fardias Mu’min, S.T., M.T.; Dr. Ing. Javensius Sembiring, S.T., M.T.; and Abdul Hakim Masyhur, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.

The meeting began with representatives from both institutions introducing their institutions, followed by a discussion of Tokyo Tech’s proposed collaboration program. This program allows international students to broaden their academic experience through exchange opportunities, such as the Asia Young Scientist and Engineer Advanced Study Program (AYSEAS) and the Academic Course Access Program (ACAP), both held in partnership with universities in Asia.

Prof. Nakashima explained that the ACAP (Academic Course Access Program) is a non-degree student exchange program, distinct from degree-seeking programs, that lets students from partner universities attend regular classes at Tokyo Tech for one quarter to one year. While degree-seeking students enroll at Tokyo Tech for a full degree, ACAP participants stay enrolled at their home universities and join temporarily. ACAP enables students to take various science and technology courses, interact directly with international and Japanese students, enroll in Japanese language classes, and potentially receive scholarship support from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).

Meanwhile, AYSEAS (Asia Young Scientist and Engineer Advanced Study Program) is a short-term international collaboration program that brings together students from various universities across Asia, including Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Unlike similar programs, AYSEAS connects participants through a 10-day experience in a Southeast Asian country, where they take part in industrial visits, group discussions, cultural exchanges, and presentations.

If students are interested in participating in the ACAP or AYSEAS programs, contact the faculty, the ITB International Affairs Office, or visit the official Tokyo Tech website at https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/ for more information about requirements and the application process. Students must prepare academic documents and show proficiency in English or Japanese as part of the selection process. The program welcomes all active students (undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students). If an undergraduate student, they should have completed at least one year of study and possess a JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) certificate to join the ACAP program.

Through this collaboration, FTMD ITB encourages students to seize international program opportunities to broaden their academic horizons and global networks, understand technological and industrial developments across various Asian countries, and improve their cross-cultural communication skills with students and institutions from around the world.