Creating a New Era of Graduate Empowerment and Global Recognition: UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Signs Landmark MoU with OneWork Solutions Malaysia to Propel Students Toward International Competence, Innovation, and Transformational Career Success
Cirebon, March 9, 2026 — Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OneWork Solutions Sdn Bhd, Malaysia. This MoU marks a significant milestone in strengthening international collaboration in education, enhancing student competencies, and preparing graduates to thrive in the global workforce. OneWork Solutions Sdn Bhd operates as a gig economy platform provider and offers online skills assessment services, enabling students to access professional remote work opportunities. The term “Sdn Bhd” stands for Sendirian Berhad, a Malaysian corporate structure equivalent to a limited liability company (PT) in Indonesia, in which ownership is private and the owners’ liability is limited to the capital invested. Through this collaboration, students gain access not only to academic freelancing training and skills assessments but also to career guidance and relevant job placement opportunities. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. H. Hajam, M.Ag., emphasized that “Higher education institutions must serve as facilitators, enabling students to gain work experience aligned with their career choices and enhancing their readiness to enter the global workforce.”
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by senior academics of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, including Dr. Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, M.Si., Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs; Prof. Dr. H. Jamali, M.Ag., Vice Rector II for Planning, Finance, and General Affairs; Zainal Arifin, S.Ag.; Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Head of the International Office; Heads of Academic and General Affairs; Dr. Jaja Suteja, M.Pd.I., Vice Dean II of FDKI; Dr. Asep Mulyana, M.Si., Vice Dean III of FITK; Dr. Hj. Dewi Fatmasari, M.Si., Vice Dean II of FEBI; Dr. Naila Farah, M.Ag., Dean of FDKI; Dr. Naeila Rifatul Muna, M.Pd.I., Vice Dean II of FUA; Wahyono, S.Pd.I, M.Pd.I., Head of the Career Development Unit; Dr. Maulidya Ulfah, M.Pd.I., LP2M; Dr. Arief Rachman, M.Si., Vice Dean I of FDKI; Dr. H. Otong Busthomi, LC., Head of HES/HTN; Rijal Mahdi, M.A., Head of BSA; and Dr. H. Achmad Otong Busthomi, M.Ag., Head of Sharia Economics. Representatives from OneWork Solutions included Amir Haziq Hafidz, Noormaizi, Fathurrahman Mahfudz, Prof. Dr. Akhmad Affandi, Adzmi Kusyairy, Siti Nor Aini, and Atta Ullah. Their presence underscores the commitment of both institutions to foster sustainable synergy in improving student competencies, career readiness, and international employment opportunities.
The greatest challenge faced by many university graduates is the gap between their academic competencies and the ever-evolving demands of the workforce. Graduates often take a long time to secure employment in their field of expertise, and in some cases, face the risk of unemployment or working in unrelated sectors. Dr. Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, M.Si., Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, explained that the institution’s transformation—from STAIN to IAIN and now to a cyber-based UIN—represents a strategic effort to expand access to education and enhance graduate quality. He emphasized that “the advancement of digital technology opens significant opportunities for higher education institutions to provide more inclusive education systems, reaching students from diverse regions.” Ayus also highlighted that mastery of technology and digital skills should be integrated into modern curricula, ensuring that graduates not only possess theoretical knowledge but also practical competencies relevant to industry needs.
During the program’s discussion session, Amir Haziq Hafidz, representing OneWork Solutions, highlighted the importance of multiplayer effects within the WoW platform as a mechanism to help students gain work experience and earn income early. He stated, “Participants can generate income through multiplayer effects, while lecturers receive international certification for their expertise.” Amir stressed that the quality of program implementation is key to success, and that both academic and economic achievements after graduation can be realized if students receive proper guidance. He also underscored the importance of student independence through digital freelancing, which equips them not only with professional skills but also builds resilience and a competitive mindset for the global marketplace.
Prof. Dr. Akhmad Affandi provided a detailed explanation of the WoW gig education platform, which is designed to deliver high educational value and prepare students for the challenges of the modern workforce. He stated, “WoW aims to develop a gig education platform that emphasizes high educational value and prepares students for professional opportunities.” The platform offers two main products: a free digital freelancing service for students to earn income while building their portfolios, and the AI Skills Test to assess competencies and job readiness. Prof. Affandi emphasized that the program enables students to gain professional experience during their studies, effectively bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice. He also highlighted the critical role of lecturers as mentors and facilitators to ensure the program runs optimally.
Atta Ullah explained the technical implementation of the WoW program, including the distribution of referral codes to lecturers, monitoring student engagement, and evaluating each participant’s progress. He noted, “The implementation of this platform includes a structured referral code system and monitoring mechanisms to track student participation and ensure program success.” This system allows universities to track students’ progress in real time, evaluate program effectiveness, and make continuous improvements. Additionally, the procedures ensure transparency, accountability, and active involvement of all stakeholders in building a professional, results-oriented learning ecosystem.
This collaboration serves as a foundation for creating an educational ecosystem that emphasizes not only academic excellence but also the development of students’ professional skills and their readiness to face global challenges. The partnership between UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon and OneWork Solutions is expected to generate a multiplier effect, enabling graduates to become more competitive, access international employment opportunities, and contribute positively to the growth of the digital economy. Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Head of the International Office at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, affirmed that “WoW’s visit to UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon represents an initial step to strengthen academic collaboration and open doors for broader future partnerships.” He added that this collaboration also paves the way for knowledge exchange, joint research, and the development of educational programs and communities with long-term impact for UINSSC students and graduates.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir