The e-International Service-Learning (e-ISLP) workshop for the E213 Engineering Cost Decisions module was conducted for the second time via MS Teams in collaboration with the Vocational Engineering School, Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri 3 (SMKN 3) Batam, Indonesia, on 28 to 31 July 2025. Spanning over four days in Week 12, the workshop involved a total of 424 participants from Republic Polytechnic (RP) (including 21 staff) and 80 students from SMKN3 Batam’s Classes XI and XII.
This year’s programme was enhanced to fit a 2-hour block format, providing students with greater opportunities to interact and engage with one another. Beyond delivering lessons, RP students worked with the international teams to co-develop business ideas, fostering independence, resourcefulness, and inclusivity. The workshop also served as an authentic platform for assessing RP students' communication skills within the module.
The activities were designed to align with RP’s graduate profile domains, such as Social Responsibility and Enterprising Spirit.
The session was a great success. RP students grew more confident and enthusiastic about teaching, and the SMKN3 Batam students' active participation fostered a dynamic learning atmosphere. This collaborative energy directly helped the programme achieve its goals.
Coordinating 403 RP participants alongside 80 Batam students posed logistical challenges, particularly in navigating language differences and intermittent internet connectivity. These issues were effectively addressed with our Malay-speaking students facilitating key discussions, while others leveraged tools like Google Translate to enhance communication. The teams took initiative in demonstrating a wide range of creative and problem-solving approaches.
Despite the Batam students’ limited exposure to business setup concepts, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants from SMKN3 Batam expressed appreciation for the sessions and valued the opportunity to be part of an enriching international learning experience.