Elevating Student Creativity through Literature: Mr. Ivan Chabibilah from ICCCM Applauds International Office UIN SSC’s Tamyiz Series
Cirebon, January 20th, 2025 — During the opening of the Global E-Scholars Initiative (GeSI) hosted by the International Office and Partnership UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, participants gathered under the theme “Mastering a Global Mindset: Equipping UIN SSC Students for Intercultural Excellence.” Notable figures present on Day 1 included Dr. Lala Bumela, Director of the International Office UIN SSC; Mr. Ivan Chabibilah, S.S., M.Li., a literary scholar from the International Cultural Communication Center Malaysia (ICCCM); and Prof. Dr. Rudolf Wirawan from the University of Adelaide, Australia. The event also welcomed UIN SSC’s international students from Sudan, the Philippines, and Thailand, showcasing the university’s growing global engagement.
Amid the wide-ranging discussions on education, creativity, and intercultural development, one student-driven initiative stood out: Tamyiz, a 41-episode digital series created by Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir, a core team member of the International Office. The series—officially registered on FilmFreeway—has become a landmark achievement, not only for its technical execution but also for its literary depth and pedagogical relevance. For Mr. Ivan Chabibilah, the series is a compelling example of how literature can evolve through visual storytelling while maintaining its intellectual and emotional core..
“Tamyiz is more than a series—it’s a literary expression in motion,” said Mr. Ivan in his keynote remarks. “What I admire most is how the creator has brought classical and modern elements of narrative into a format that resonates with students today. It’s an act of reading, writing, and re-imagining literature through digital frames.” Mr. Ivan emphasized that in today’s world, literature must remain alive—not as a passive text, but as an active form of creativity that students engage with, manipulate, and personalize. He commended UIN SSC’s International Office for supporting such innovative expressions, urging other universities to follow suit. “This is what we need—literature that walks, talks, and breathes within students’ cultural imagination.”
Lala Bumela also acknowledged the importance of the Tamyiz project, especially in how it contributes to the university’s vision aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—notably in quality education and cultural participation. “When students are given space to turn their knowledge into art, we see real academic transformation,” he stated. “Tamyiz reflects our belief that intellectual exploration should be both rigorous and emotionally rich.”
Mr. Ivan Chabibilah, in his closing reflection, further emphasized the broader academic and global impact of Tamyiz. “The registration of Tamyiz on FilmFreeway signals a significant step in the internationalization of academic creativity,” he noted. “This isn’t just a student project—it’s a global statement. A statement that literature, emotion, and critical thinking can all be delivered through creative production.”
He continued by highlighting the cross-cultural collaboration embedded in the series, particularly the involvement of international students as cast members. “Their participation doesn’t just add diversity—it embodies it,” he said. “Tamyiz reflects a model where educational vision meets creative experimentation, producing a cultural product that truly represents the global ambition of UIN SSC. It bridges disciplines and nations, bringing together voices, stories, and experiences in a format that is both accessible and intellectually meaningful.”
The registration of Tamyiz on FilmFreeway thus represents more than just an achievement in media—it is a literary and pedagogical milestone. As Mr. Ivan concluded, “When students are trusted with the tools of literature and given the freedom to innovate, they don’t just tell stories—they elevate thought.” This accomplishment aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals by advancing quality education, fostering inclusive collaboration, and strengthening global partnerships, demonstrating how academic creativity can contribute to meaningful international progress.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir