Four students from Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Philippines, namely Softhia E. Domingo, Bervena L. Saraga, Vanessa B. Padua, and Ma. Louisa B. Zaragoza has taken the International Credit Transfer (ICT) program even semester of 2023/2024 at Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) East Java.

They will complete one semester of study at UNIPMA which covers the fields of education and teaching practice. According to a report from the UNIPMA Public Relations team, their first agenda was to tour the Rectorate, Faculties and 3 Study Programs (English, Biology and Mathematics).

"We are very enthusiastic about developing our determination by blending with local customs to become future teaching staff. We will struggle with the process we have experienced and we will apply the knowledge gained from UNIPMA," said one of the NEUST Philippines students.

NEUST is a public university located in the province of Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon, Philippines, with its main campus in Cabanatuan. The university offers graduate and undergraduate programs in many specialized fields as well as vocational training programs. In the uniRank update, NEUST ranked 6th among 19 Central Luzon higher education institutions that met the selection criteria.

Chancellor of PGRI Madiun University, Dr. Supri Wahyudi Utomo, M.Pd together with the Head of the Cooperation and Public Relations Bureau Sri Lestari, M.Pd and the BKH UNIPMA team gave a warm welcome to the arrival of the four students. Dr. Supri Wahyudi Utomo, M.Pd said that an ICT program like this is very beneficial for both parties and can strengthen relations between the two universities.

He also added that it was hoped that lecture activities could run smoothly, especially teaching practice at SMAN 2 Madiun. "We hope that lectures and teaching practices at SMAN 2 Madiun can run smoothly. "Hopefully NEUST students can adapt to the atmosphere and food of Madiun," said Dr. Supri Wahyudi Utomo, M.Pd, on Monday, 26/02/2024.

Apart from students from the Philippines, UNIPMA has attracted attention from various countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia. This is proven by the form of collaboration that has been carried out with well-known universities in the country. It is hoped that this ICT program can help connect students from all over the world and broaden cultural horizons and knowledge between both parties.