Between Academia and Artistry: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir of UIN SSC International Office Continues Filming Tamyiz Amid AsiaCALL 2025, Preparing for a Majestic Ramadhan 2026 Release
Cirebon, October, 5th 2025 — Amid the bustling academic rhythm of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, one name continues to bridge creativity and intellect — Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir, an internship student at the International Office and a visionary filmmaker. While deeply involved in the preparations for the upcoming AsiaCALL 2025 conference, Azkiya also continues to develop his independent film project, Tamyiz Iltibas: The Morphology of Religion. The film gathers more than forty students across faculties, including several international students under the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellent Scholarship (SN-GES). Blending neuroscience, culture, and spiritual symbolism, Tamyiz reflects Azkiya’s devotion to integrating academic insights with cinematic storytelling. Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office, praised Azkiya’s commitment: “He represents the kind of global-minded student we hope to nurture — one who learns, creates, and inspires beyond the classroom.”
Balancing two demanding pursuits — the academic responsibilities tied to AsiaCALL 2025 and the creative labor of producing Tamyiz — has not been an easy path. The AsiaCALL preparations required long coordination hours, reports, and rehearsal sessions, while Tamyiz demanded late-night writing, directing, and editing. Fatigue often blurred the lines between academic duty and artistic passion. There were times when shooting schedules overlapped with important meetings or project deadlines, forcing Azkiya to navigate between precision and spontaneity. Yet, rather than allowing either pursuit to overshadow the other, he viewed both as complementary journeys — two sides of the same intellectual vision: to connect education, creativity, and faith in a single continuum of purpose.
In a mentoring discussion, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., reflected on Azkiya’s dual commitment with admiration. “True creativity is not about choosing between art and academia,” he said, “but about discovering how both can coexist and elevate one another.” His words resonated deeply with Azkiya, reaffirming his belief that the university environment should not limit imagination, but rather nurture it. Guided by this encouragement, he continued refining Tamyiz’s narrative — shaping each scene as both a cinematic act and a philosophical reflection. The dialogue between mentor and mentee became a living example of how guidance, trust, and academic freedom can birth meaningful innovation.
To sustain progress on both fronts, Azkiya established a structured routine: dedicating early mornings to AsiaCALL-related documentation and evenings to film editing. His peers from the International Office, along with Global Engagement Team (GET), provided invaluable support — helping him manage time, resources, and coordination across departments. Within Tamyiz, international students collaborated as cast, symbolizing the spirit of multiculturalism that UIN SSC upholds. The production gradually evolved into a space of intercultural dialogue, where art became a shared language that transcended nationality and discipline. What began as an individual project blossomed into a collective expression of unity and creative intellect.
As filming nears completion, Tamyiz Iltibas stands as both a cinematic and intellectual milestone. Each scene captures the essence of reflective inquiry — merging philosophical questions with emotional narratives. Meanwhile, AsiaCALL 2025 preparations continue to progress under the same spirit of collaboration and excellence. Through this dual journey, Azkiya has proven that dedication to scholarship does not hinder artistic pursuit; rather, it enriches it. The harmony between the academic and artistic worlds exemplifies the holistic vision that UIN SSC strives to cultivate — one where intellect and imagination move together toward global enlightenment.
Reflecting on his journey, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., remarked, “Azkiya’s work reminds us that true education extends beyond classrooms and research papers — it lives in the act of creating, reflecting, and daring to translate truth into beauty.” His words encapsulated the essence of Tamyiz — a research-based film that explores not only religion and identity but also human consciousness, resilience, and interconnectedness. As Ramadhan 2026 draws near, Tamyiz stands poised to illuminate the balance between academia and artistry — a testament that when intellect unites with imagination, learning evolves into an art that transcends boundaries and reaches the soul.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir