Bridging Academic Instruction and Industry Practice: eXPERIENT System Proficiency Among Customs Administration Graduates

Abstract

As customs operations increasingly rely on digital platforms, evaluating the role of technological systems in bridging theoretical knowledge and practical competency is essential for workforce preparation. This study investigated the extent of eXPERIENT system usage and its predictive relationship to the lodgement skills of Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration (BSCA) graduates at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) during their practicum. Employing a predictive-descriptive-correlational research design, data were collected from 43 BSCA graduates (graduating batches 2022–2025) using a structured Likert-scale survey distributed via snowball sampling. Findings revealed frequent system utilization during practicum, with an overall mean of 3.65 ("Most of the Time"), indicating consistent exposure to the eXPERIENT system in daily tasks. Respondents demonstrated high competence in end-to end lodgement transactions (mean = 4.01), reflecting strong procedural familiarity and functional independence. Lodgement skills were rated "High" overall (mean = 4.09), with documentation assessment achieving a "Very High" rating (mean = 4.19), underscoring advanced proficiency in preparing and evaluating customs documents. These results suggest that practicum experiences effectively bridged academic instruction with operational practice, equipping graduates with essential competencies to manage documentation protocols, maintain accuracy, and adapt to evolving customs policies. This study addresses the limited empirical evidence regarding the role of the eXPERIENT system in translating academic learning into practical customs competencies among AIMS graduates. The findings provide critical insights for academic institutions in aligning customs administration curricula with the digital demands of the logistics and trade facilitation industry.

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