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The spirit of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day was joyfully celebrated at Politeknik Negeri Jember (Polije) Campus 2 Bondowoso through a series of traditional competitions held on August 17, 2025. The event was made even more special by the participation of lecturers and technicians from the Department of Information Technology, alongside students from Polije and Kyungpook National University (KNU), South Korea.
The celebration featured a variety of fun and engaging competitions that brought together students, lecturers, technicians, and international participants in a spirit of unity and joy. From sack races, tug-of-war, and marble-on-spoon challenges to other traditional games, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and cheers as everyone competed in a friendly yet enthusiastic manner.
KNU students, who are currently joining the World Friends Korea – ICT (WFK-ICT) 2025 program at Polije, enthusiastically joined the Independence Day festivities. For many of them, this was their first experience of Indonesian cultural traditions, and their excitement brought an international flavor to the event. Their active involvement in the games reflected a genuine appreciation of Indonesian culture and strengthened their bond with Polije students.
Lecturers and technicians from the Department of Information Technology also actively took part, showing their support for the students and setting an example of togetherness. Their participation alongside students from Polije and KNU created a warm and inclusive atmosphere, symbolizing the spirit of collaboration that extends beyond academics.
The Independence Day competitions also served as a platform for cultural exchange. Polije students proudly shared the joy of Indonesian traditions with their Korean peers, while KNU students learned firsthand about the values of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and community spirit that underpin the celebrations. This interaction deepened cross-cultural understanding and fostered long-lasting friendships.
One of the highlights of the day was the teamwork shown during group competitions. Mixed teams of Polije and KNU students joined forces, creating moments of unity and laughter. These interactions perfectly reflected the essence of Independence Day—celebrating freedom while cherishing solidarity and cooperation.
At the end of the event, prizes were awarded to the winners of each competition, but the true reward was the sense of unity shared among participants. For the KNU students, this Independence Day celebration became a memorable and meaningful part of their stay in Bondowoso, while for Polije, it was an opportunity to showcase Indonesia’s cultural richness to their international partners.
Through this celebration, Polije once again demonstrated its commitment not only to academic and technological collaboration but also to fostering cultural connections. The joint Independence Day celebration with KNU students at Campus 2 Bondowoso highlighted how education, culture, and friendship can come together to create impactful international cooperation.