Building Wisdom Architects for the Future: UIN SSC International Office Inspires GET Interns to Embrace “The Pursuit of Knowledge” as a Pathway to Deep Learning, Critical Thinking, and Lifelong Growth
Cirebon, 08 August 2025 – On the bright morning of August 8, 2025, the meeting room of the International Office at Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC) was filled with the eager presence of the Global Engagement Team (GET) interns. The gathering was not just another routine meeting; it was a space for reflection, challenge, and inspiration. Guided by the insightful leadership of Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, the interns were invited to journey beyond the surface of knowledge into the depths of understanding. The theme, “The Pursuit of Knowledge: Deep Learning”, served as the heartbeat of the session, framing knowledge as more than a collection of facts but as a transformative force that shapes both academic excellence and personal growth.
From the very beginning, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, emphasized that the pursuit of true knowledge demands more than mere attendance in classrooms or reading of textbooks. It calls for a cultivated growth mindset, the courage to reflect, the ability to find joy in the process of learning, the mindfulness to remain present, and the desire to engage with meaning. He spoke about the crucial difference between information and knowledge, how information is plentiful and easily accessible in the digital era, yet knowledge requires deeper processing, reflection, and application. “Our task is not merely to memorize, but to understand how to think so we can solve problems critically,” he said, his words resonating with the attentive audience. This point was further reinforced with his warning about epistemic bubbles, tight informational circles that, if left unexamined, can trap individuals in a cycle of confirmation bias and emotional reactions without analytical depth.
One of the most evocative moments of the morning was Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, introduction of the metaphor “Table Beneath the Stars”, inspired by the words of Ania Lian. He painted an image of a space whose curiosity flourishes a setting in which asking the right questions becomes as valuable as finding the right answers. Inquiry, he stressed, is not merely an academic skill; it is an indicator of intelligence and a driver of transformation. The key to this transformation, he noted, lies in shift a conscious change in perspective and approach that every student must embrace if they are to become more than passive recipients of information. The discussion also turned to the concept of personal knowledge hygiene, a discipline of filtering the overwhelming noise of the digital world to ensure clarity, focus, and genuine understanding.
The philosophical richness of the discussion was balanced by a focus on practical and strategic agendas within the International Office. Several institutional priorities were addressed, including the accountability reports (LPJ) for SNGES 2024 and 2025, the ongoing administrative processes, and updates on AsiaCALL 2025, currently in a holding phase due to several pending matters. There was also considerable excitement around international opportunities, such as research in Germany through the DAAD program and a proposal for the British Council, with an emphasis on building strategic links between the two. These upcoming projects, along with scheduled research activities next week, underscore the International Office’s commitment to fostering global academic collaboration.
Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, then wove these agenda points into a broader reflection on what He called the educational, cultural, and technological shift. He observed that in the modern digital landscape, speed often overshadows depth, and engagement often overshadows truth. Social media, He noted, rewards the click more than the contemplation, creating a learning environment that risks becoming shallow. His call was clear: students must actively seek the truth, cultivating discernment and resisting the lure of empty engagement. In this context, AI was discussed not as a replacement for human thought, but as a tool that, if used rhizomatically and with unstructured creativity, could expand the boundaries of learning without sacrificing quality.
The scope of the discussion expanded into interdisciplinary territories, touching on philosophy, literature, logic, media literacy, and critical thinking. For Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, these disciplines are not isolated areas of study but interconnected threads in the fabric of holistic education. He urged the interns to move beyond rigid formulas and standardized thinking, instead embracing genuine curiosity as the foundation of their intellectual development. He introduced the notion of a wisdom architect, someone who does not merely collect information but intentionally gathers questions, and connects knowledge with empathy and care. “We need wisdom architects who are not only intelligent but also compassionate,” He reminded them, framing this role as essential for a generation navigating an increasingly complex world.
Turning his focus to the state of education in Indonesia, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D, spoke candidly about overlooked areas such as writing pedagogy and curriculum innovation. He highlighted how these gaps, if left unaddressed, limit the capacity for deep, critical learning. Drawing comparisons with education systems abroad, He pointed out that while countries may share similar academic levels, differences in quality often stem from how effectively strategies are implemented. He stressed the need to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into curriculum planning and to encourage adaptive, rhizomatic learning, a mode of learning that is flexible, interconnected, and rooted in inquiry.
The meeting concluded not with a checklist, but with a moment of reflection. The GET interns were encouraged to see themselves not simply as students fulfilling an internship requirement, but as agents of learning, transformation, and cross-cultural engagement. By weaving together the principles of deep learning, critical thinking, and technological literacy, the International Office aspires to cultivate graduates who are prepared to act with wisdom and integrity in a global context. As they left the room, the interns carried with them not only new tasks and information, but also a renewed vision of what it means to truly pursue knowledge, a vision that like “The table beneath the stars” invites them to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep growing.
Author: Bilqis Syifa Shoraya