Dialogues Without Borders: The International Office UIN SSC Podcast Brings Together Three Generations of the Global Engagement Team for Global Academic Exchange
Cirebon, August, 5th 2025 — Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office Universitas Islam Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, has long envisioned platforms that could bridge generations and expand global academic horizons. Though not seated in the recording studio, his leadership stood firmly behind the Global Horizon Podcast, a program initiated by Bustanul Arifin. “This is more than a podcast—it is a living record of how our institution grows through voices across time,” he remarked. Yet the question remained: how could three generations of the Global Engagement Team (GET)—from pioneering alumni to the youngest newcomers—transform their experiences into a narrative of global continuity? This curiosity came alive as Generation 1 (Farah Syifa, Resa Diah Gayatri, Indah Fitri), Generation 2 moderator Indra Maulana Arfan Ajiz, and Generation 3 newcomers Ananditamala Syalwa Heryana and Septiani Lu’luatul Fajriyah gathered before the microphone.
The recording opened as a dialogue across eras, weaving reflections of memory with visions for the future. Generation 1 recalled the challenges of opening international doors when the office was still young, while Indra from Generation 2 guided the conversation with his familiar voice as moderator. For Generation 3, the moment was both humbling and empowering. “We may be the youngest, but our role is to carry the torch forward,” Anandita expressed, a sentiment reinforced by Septiani’s words: “Through this platform, our voices can become part of a larger story of connection.” These statements revealed the very essence of the podcast: the academic present in conversation with its past and future.
From outside the frame, Lala Bumela responded to the spirit of these young voices with pride. “Anandita and Septiani remind us that the continuity of global engagement lies in courage—the courage to speak, to listen, and to grow,” he noted. His words framed their presence not as isolated contributions but as threads woven into a wider institutional fabric, ensuring that the youngest generation’s enthusiasm would be supported by the wisdom of those before them.
The synergy of the three generations illustrated not only the value of historical memory but also the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing academic world. As the dialogue deepened, the pioneering Generation 1 reflected on the foundations they had laid, while Generation 2 moderated with balance and clarity. Observing this, Lala Bumela emphasized, “Every generation is a custodian of values—experience, consistency, and innovation. What we witnessed in this podcast is a living dialogue where each generation strengthens the other.” His reflection reinforced the vision of the International Office: that engagement must be sustained not by one era, but by a chorus of many.
The Global Horizon Podcast thus became more than a recorded conversation; it was a manifestation of institutional resilience and continuity. For UIN SSC, it demonstrated how past achievements and youthful aspirations could converge into a single narrative of global outreach. For the participants, it was a validation that their journeys mattered—whether as trailblazers, steady moderators, or new voices finding their place. Together, they revealed that the International Office was not merely building partnerships abroad, but also nurturing an internal ecosystem of collaboration across generations.
In closing, the message of the episode resonated with clarity: international engagement is not bound by borders, nor by time. From first generation to the youngest members, each generation contributed a voice that, when combined, created harmony for the future of UIN SSC’s global mission. As the guiding presence behind this initiative, Lala Bumela reminded the audience of the moral at its heart: “Global dialogue is not about one generation speaking louder than another—it is about listening, learning, and leading together.” The Global Horizon Podcast thus stands as a testament to the timeless truth that when voices unite, knowledge becomes a bridge, and education fulfills its noblest purpose: to connect humanity in hope and wisdom.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir