Charting New Horizons: The International Office of UIN SSC Launches Its Podcast Through GET’s Bustanul Arifin with Three Generations of the Global Engagement Team to Inspire Cross-Cultural and Global Collaboration
Cirebon, August, 3rd 2025 — Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office and Partnership at Universitas Islam Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC), once again stood at the helm of innovation in internationalization through the release of a new podcast initiated by Bustanul Arifin, one of the Global Engagement Team (GET) members. “This podcast is not simply a program—it is a journey where our voices can travel beyond borders and reach communities who may never set foot in Cirebon, yet can feel connected to us,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D. His statement immediately carried weight, but also sparked a critical question: in a world saturated with digital voices, what makes this initiative a distinctive contribution to cross-cultural collaboration? The answer unfolded as three generations of GET members joined the podcast, representing a rare continuity that tied past, present, and future into one shared narrative.
The podcast, shaped by Bustanul Arifin’s initiative, was not only a technical project but a cultural and intellectual experiment. By bringing together senior alumni of GET, active members, and the newest recruits, it created a dialogue that bridged experiences, lessons, and aspirations. Bustanul Arifin himself explained, “I wanted this podcast to become a platform where generations of GET members can share their journeys—because internationalization is not about one moment, but about learning from each other’s footsteps.” His words highlighted the human side of international engagement: the desire to build connections across time and culture, and to preserve stories that might otherwise fade.
The resonance of Bustanul’s statement was immediately taken up by Lala Bumela, Ph.D., who emphasized the deeper vision behind such initiatives. “When students initiate projects like this, it shows that our internationalization is not only designed top-down but also grows organically from the creativity of our members,” he said. By recognizing the efforts of Bustanul and his fellow GET members, Lala Bumela, Ph.D. underscored the fact that institutional strength is built on individual voices. His leadership reflected a balance: guiding the broader mission while empowering students to define their own contributions within it.
This balance became clearer as the conversations unfolded during the podcast and afterward. Participants shared personal reflections on their growth within GET, while Lala Bumela, Ph.D. reminded them of the enduring significance of their work. “Each recording is more than a conversation—it is an archive of who we are and who we want to become as a university community,” he stressed. By framing the project as both a present activity and a legacy for the future, he placed the initiative in a larger context: UIN SSC as a cyber Islamic university with a global mission. In his words, the podcast was not just about expression, but about continuity and institutional memory.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond a single episode. For IO UIN SSC, the podcast demonstrates the potential of digital platforms to serve as genuine bridges of collaboration, positioning the university as a creative force in global higher education. For the three generations of GET members, the experience fostered a sense of belonging that transcends time—linking alumni, current members, and newcomers into a shared identity as global citizens. In this duality, the podcast reflects both institutional advancement and personal growth: it strengthens the International Office’s reputation while nurturing empathy, intercultural competence, and intellectual curiosity within its members.
Ultimately, the moral of this project is both simple and profound. Under the vision of Lala Bumela, Ph.D. and through the creativity of Bustanul Arifin together with three generations of the Global Engagement Team, the International Office has shown that internationalization is not a distant dream or a bureaucratic phrase. It is lived through authentic dialogue, courageous voices, and continuity across generations. The podcast stands as a reminder that when local voices are given space to speak with authenticity, they can create global resonance. It calls us to remember that true collaboration begins not in silence, but in conversation—conversations that, like this one, shape horizons beyond imagination.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir