Document Preparation for ASEAN Research Proposal on Tokyo Ratification: Towards DAAD Germany Submission
Cirebon, August, 6th 2025 — In a quiet, focused corner of the International Office, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of Universitas Islam Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, initiated a strategic session to prepare a research proposal for the Tokyo Convention ratification in ASEAN, aimed for submission to DAAD Germany under the SCOPE-HE programme. “The recognition of academic qualifications across borders is not just a procedural formality—it is the backbone of academic mobility, international collaboration, and regional integration,” he explained, his tone highlighting the urgency of the task. Supporting him were Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir (GET Gen 2) and the newly inducted Gen 3 members—Cherryshifa Hilary Afsonias, Laily Dwi Islami Azzahra, Muthie’ah Umuril Adyan, Keysha Aulya Febrina, and Ananditamala Syalwa Heryana—entrusted as research assistants. Their mission was formidable: to collate, verify, and synthesize documents from AQRF, UNESCO, OECD, UNICEF, the Bologna Process, SDGs, and other key frameworks to support a rigorous and submission-ready proposal.
The session began with Lala Bumela outlining the scope of the research and the expected standards for the DAAD/SCOPE-HE submission. “This proposal must demonstrate ASEAN’s readiness and strategic alignment for Tokyo Convention ratification, while drawing lessons from Europe’s consolidated implementation of recognition frameworks,” he emphasized. Muhammad Azkiya BK responded, “By systematically gathering references from AQRF, UNESCO, and other global authorities, we can ensure our recommendations are evidence-based and internationally coherent.” The team immediately recognized that precision, analytical rigor, and meticulous documentation were non-negotiable to meet DAAD’s rigorous evaluation criteria.
Under Lala Bumela’s mentorship, each member of GET was assigned specialized research areas. Some focused on ASEAN qualification frameworks and regional policies, while others compiled comparative case studies and statistical insights from OECD, UNESCO, and UNICEF reports. Lala Bumela guided the process, stating, “Every document, dataset, and report is a building block. The strength of our proposal depends on how effectively we integrate them into a cohesive narrative.” His guidance encouraged the team to cross-check references, reconcile discrepancies, and synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
As the research progressed, the emphasis shifted to strategic alignment and relevance. Lala Bumela explained, “We must not only document the current educational landscape but also align ASEAN practices with global conventions and the SDGs. Each reference should serve a clear purpose in supporting regional mobility and harmonization.” The team meticulously curated policy papers, frameworks, and international case studies, ensuring that every piece of evidence directly reinforced the proposal’s argument for ratification and implementation of the Tokyo Convention in ASEAN.
By the end of the preparation phase, Muhammad Azkiya BK and the Gen 3 members had successfully compiled a comprehensive, organized, and submission-ready repository of references and supporting documents. The collaborative effort highlighted not only the research competence of the GET members but also the leadership and strategic vision of Lala Bumela. With a well-founded evidence base, the ASEAN research proposal was positioned to contribute meaningfully to SCOPE-HE objectives, including policy dialogue, cross-regional mobility, and strengthening ASEAN–EU higher education collaboration.
The initiative underscored a vital lesson in research excellence: precision, collaboration, and strategic insight are inseparable from impactful outcomes. “When every document is carefully collected, verified, and connected to a larger purpose, research transcends data—it becomes a catalyst for regional progress,” Lala Bumela reflected. For Muhammad Azkiya BK and the Gen 3 GET members, this project was more than an academic task—it was a hands-on immersion into international standards, rigorous methodology, and the transformative power of coordinated teamwork. Their effort reaffirms the International Office’s mission to empower students as contributors to meaningful global knowledge and policy development.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir