Balikpapan – How can students apply to ITK, and what career opportunities might its graduates pursue as Indonesia’s new capital, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), develops? These questions shaped a visit by MAN Insan Cendekia Paser and MA Raadhiyatan Mardhiyyah Putri to Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK) on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the ITK Integrated Laboratory Auditorium.

The visit brought together 238 participants, comprising 222 students and 16 accompanying teachers and staff. MAN Insan Cendekia Paser’s delegation consisted of 59 students and six accompanying staff members. Meanwhile, MA Raadhiyatan Mardhiyyah Putri brought 163 female students from grades 10, 11, and 12, accompanied by 10 teachers, as part of a school field trip.

Dimas Hadiarto, S.Pd., Vice Principal for Student Affairs at MAN Insan Cendekia Paser, delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of the school. The visit provided an opportunity for both schools to introduce their students to a university environment and help them consider their educational options after graduation.

One topic that attracted students’ attention was SUMMIT ITK. During the discussion, participants asked about its admission options, including the partnership pathway and selection based on UTBK scores or school report grades. The session offered an initial overview of the options students should understand before applying, including the importance of checking the official requirements for their intended admission year.

The discussion also explored degree choices and career prospects. Students were keen to understand how ITK’s academic disciplines relate to development needs, particularly in the context of IKN’s presence in East Kalimantan.

ITK’s proximity to IKN provided a relevant context for introducing applications of engineering and science. The discussion encouraged students to consider the connections between higher education, technological development, and practical challenges in areas such as infrastructure, transportation, and electrical power systems. This perspective helped them relate their academic interests to fields they might pursue professionally.

Beyond the introductory session in the auditorium, participants explored ITK’s Integrated Laboratory facilities. The laboratories introduced during the visit included the Power System and Automation Laboratory, the Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing Laboratory, and the Construction and Transportation Engineering Laboratory.

These introductions demonstrated how classroom learning can be extended through practical sessions, testing, and research. Students gained a clearer picture of laboratories as spaces for observation, experimentation, and understanding how theories are applied across technological fields.

For students in grades 10 and 11, the experience offered an early opportunity to explore their academic interests. For twelfth-grade students, it provided more immediate considerations as they prepared to choose a university and degree program.

Through the visit, ITK gave students space to ask questions, explore their options, and connect their studies with the futures they hope to build. From the auditorium to the laboratories, the experience marked an initial step toward making more informed educational choices.