Polman Negeri Babel’s Mini Bank Laboratory Supports Practical Training for Digital Banking and Finance Students
Two students from the Applied Bachelor’s Degree Program in Banking and Digital Finance at the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic are participating in a practical training session at the Mini Bank Laboratory.
The Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Babel) features a "Mini Bank" laboratory—a practical learning facility for students in the Applied Bachelor’s Program in Banking and Digital Finance. Designed to mirror a typical banking work environment, the facility equips students with essential skills in banking operations and customer service.
The laboratory serves to enhance the student learning process, ensuring that they go beyond classroom theory by gaining hands-on experience through simulations of banking activities. Currently, the facility is utilized by two classes, comprising a total of approximately 60 students.
In an interview on Monday (October 26, 2026), Hendrik Ali, M.M., Head of the Applied Bachelor’s Program in Banking and Digital Finance at Polman Babel, explained that the Mini Bank laboratory plays a crucial role in supporting practical training, helping students refine their banking operational and customer service skills.
He further noted that the laboratory requires continuous development to remain highly effective in fostering student competency. This includes upgrading facilities and practical equipment, developing modules and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aligned with specific learning outcomes, and integrating digital banking and financial technology into the practical curriculum.
Furthermore, collaboration with the banking industry needs to be strengthened, and periodic evaluations are essential to ensure that practical training activities remain relevant to technological advancements and current demands.
Through these various efforts, the Polman Babel Mini Bank Laboratory becomes increasingly effective in producing graduates who are competent, professional, and well-prepared to meet the needs of the banking and digital finance industry," he stated.
" In practice, students take a course on the Fundamentals of Banking, which includes hands-on training in bank operations—such as customer service, teller transactions, the duties of an operations manager, and an introduction to the functions of an investment manager," he added.
Students also take a course on the Fundamentals of Banking Informatics to learn about the application of information technology in the banking sector. This includes an introduction to mobile and internet banking services, as well as educating customers on how to use digital banking applications," he explained.
By providing a learning experience that closely mirrors actual work practices, the Polman Babel Mini Bank Laboratory aims to equip students with both theoretical understanding and practical skills, preparing them to enter the workforce within the banking and digital finance sector," he concluded.
