Sebanyak 72 siswa dari SMKN 1 Banyumas melakukan kunjungan kampus (campus tour) ke Institut Teknologi PLN (IT PLN) pada Rabu (19/11/25) untuk mengenal lebih dekat lingkungan akademik, fasilitas teknologi, dan kegiatan penelitian yang ada di kampus. Para siswa dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok sesuai jurusan masing-masing, termasuk kelompok Teknik Jaringan Komputer (TJK) yang melakukan eksplorasi ke Fakultas Telematika Energi (FTEN).

Di FTEN, para siswa diajak mengunjungi tiga laboratorium unggulan, yaitu Laboratorium Virtual Reality, Laboratorium Information Retrieval, dan Computer Network Laboratory. Kunjungan ini memberikan kesempatan bagi para siswa untuk melihat langsung teknologi modern yang digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran dan penelitian.

Kunjungan dimulai dari Laboratorium Virtual Reality, di mana para siswa disambut oleh Kepala Laboratorium, Sely Karmila, S.Kom., M.Si. Beliau memberikan penjelasan mengenai konsep Virtual Reality, penerapannya dalam pembelajaran, serta jenis-jenis praktikum yang diselenggarakan di laboratorium tersebut. Para siswa tampak antusias saat melihat perangkat VR serta mendengarkan penjelasan terkait implementasi teknologi tersebut di dunia pendidikan maupun industri.

Perjalanan berlanjut ke Laboratorium Information Retrieval, di mana para siswa diterima oleh asisten laboratorium. Pada sesi ini, mereka mendapatkan gambaran tentang praktikum yang berkaitan dengan penambangan data, sistem pencarian informasi, serta penelitian yang sedang berjalan. Penjelasan yang interaktif membantu para siswa memahami penerapan ilmu komputer dalam pengolahan dan penelusuran informasi digital.

Kunjungan kemudian dilanjutkan ke Computer Network Laboratory, bersama Kepala Laboratorium, Karina Djunaidi, S.T., M.T. Beliau menjelaskan bahwa laboratorium tersebut tidak hanya digunakan untuk praktikum jaringan komputer, tetapi juga menjadi pusat penyelenggaraan sertifikasi internasional seperti Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) dan sertifikasi jaringan Cisco. Informasi ini menjadi nilai tambah bagi siswa jurusan TJK yang tertarik memperluas kompetensi melalui sertifikasi global.

Dalam rangkaian kegiatan ini, Dekan Fakultas Telematika Energi, Dr. Meilia Nur Indah Susanti, S.T., M.Kom., turut memberikan sambutan kepada para siswa. Beliau didampingi oleh Wakil Dekan, Dr. Indrianto, S.Kom., M.T. Keduanya menyampaikan harapan agar kunjungan ini dapat memotivasi para siswa melanjutkan studi di bidang teknologi dan menjadikan IT PLN sebagai pilihan utama setelah lulus.

Sepanjang kunjungan, para siswa terlihat sangat antusias dan aktif bertanya mengenai fasilitas laboratorium, kurikulum, peluang sertifikasi, hingga prospek karier di bidang teknologi dan energi. Campus tour ini diharapkan dapat memperluas wawasan mereka sekaligus meningkatkan motivasi dalam melanjutkan pendidikan ke jenjang yang lebih tinggi.

SMKN 1 Banyumas Students Visit IT PLN for an Insightful Campus Tour

A total of 72 students from SMKN 1 Banyumas visited the Institute of Technology PLN (IT PLN) for an educational campus tour aimed at learning more about the academic environment, technology infrastructure, and research facilities available on campus. The students were divided into groups according to their fields of study, including the Computer Network Engineering group, which visited the Faculty of Telematics and Energy (FTEN).

At FTEN, the students explored three key laboratories: the Virtual Reality Laboratory, the Information Retrieval Laboratory, and the Computer Network Laboratory. The tour provided them with an opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to modern technology and understand how it is applied in learning and research at IT PLN.

The visit began at the Virtual Reality Laboratory, where the students were welcomed by the Head of the Laboratory, Sely Karmila, S.Kom., M.Si. She introduced the concept of Virtual Reality, explained its academic applications, and shared details about the practical courses conducted in the lab. The students expressed strong enthusiasm as they observed the VR equipment and learned about its relevance in both education and industry.

The next stop was the Information Retrieval Laboratory, where they were received by a laboratory assistant. The students were introduced to practical courses related to data mining, search technologies, and ongoing research projects. The interactive session helped students better understand how information retrieval and computational techniques are applied in real-world digital environments.

The tour concluded at the Computer Network Laboratory, guided by the Head of the Laboratory, Karina Djunaidi, S.T., M.T. She explained that the lab supports not only computer network practicums but also serves as a center for international certification programs such as the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) and Cisco certifications. This information particularly resonated with the networking students, who were eager to learn about global certification pathways.

During the visit, the Dean of the Faculty of Telematics and Energy, Dr. Meilia Nur Indah Susanti, S.T., M.Kom., delivered a welcoming speech. She was accompanied by the Vice Dean, Dr. Indrianto, S.Kom., M.T. Both expressed their hope that the visit would inspire the students to pursue higher education in the field of technology and consider IT PLN as their future academic home.

Throughout the tour, the students were highly engaged, actively asking questions about facilities, curriculum, certifications, and future career opportunities. The campus tour successfully broadened their perspectives and strengthened their motivation to continue their studies in technology and energy-related fields.