Bandung, 4 February 2026 - A student of the English Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Language and Literature Education (FPBS), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Zaki Syamsul Ghifari, was selected to participate in the SEA Teacher Program (Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia) organized through collaboration between SEAMEO and the University of Tsukuba, Japan, in February 2026.
This exchange program involves participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, aiming to provide cross-country teaching observation and practicum experiences. The activities began on 2 February 2026 in Tsukuba, followed by international student discussions and a Symposium with SEAMEO at the University of Tsukuba, Tokyo, on 5–6 February 2026. During the forum, participants discussed various educational challenges in their respective countries, including curriculum changes in Indonesia and the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) as a learning support tool that does not replace the role of teachers.
Since 7 February 2026, Zaki has been conducting observation and teaching practice at the University of Tsukuba Senior High School, particularly in English class 2B. As of 11 February 2026, the activities are still ongoing as part of his adaptation process and learning experience regarding the implementation of English language teaching in Japanese secondary schools.
I feel happy and fortunate to participate in this program. This is my first experience abroad and a valuable opportunity to learn about the implementation of education in Japan that could potentially be applied in Indonesia, he said.
This participation aligns with the “UPI Berdampak” program and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, through enhancing prospective teachers’ competencies and exchanging best educational practices across countries.
Through participation in the SEA Teacher Program, it is hoped that more FPBS UPI students will be encouraged to join similar international programs as part of efforts to broaden perspectives, enhance professional competence, and bring innovative educational practices to advance education in Indonesia.