Exploring Creativity Through Documentation: New GET Members Curate IO UIN SSC Digital Bulletins from Official Event Archives Using the Reading for Emotions Framework
Cirebon, August, 20th 2025 — As the digital presence of the International Office (IO) at Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC) continues to evolve, the Global Engagement Team (GET) has launched an innovative initiative designed to connect academic documentation with the creative possibilities of social media. With Instagram recorded at 84.8% of users according to Pusat Web—second only to WhatsApp—the International Office recognizes the importance of engaging with global audiences through accessible and visually compelling formats. Under the leadership of Lala Bumela, Ph. D. Director of the International Office, and with the pioneering contributions of Cyrilia Azzahra Tsania and Resa Diah Gayatri as the first generation of GET members, the creation of digital bulletins was envisioned as a way to transform official archives into engaging Instagram stories. This vision is now carried forward by the third generation, represented by Nok Dini Wulan Ramadani and Cindi Aulia, who embody the continuity of innovation within the team. “We aim to transform routine documentation into creative expressions that resonate with audiences both locally and internationally,” stated Lala Bumela, emphasizing the blend of academic rigor and creative vision driving the project.
The digital bulletins function not merely as updates but as curated narratives that highlight the activities, achievements, and international engagements of UIN SSC. By reimagining official reports and event documentation into Instagram stories, the GET members transform static archives into dynamic and interactive content that resonates with younger audiences. Lala Bumela has emphasized that this approach not only strengthens UIN SSC’s digital identity but also exemplifies how student creativity can be aligned with institutional goals of global engagement. Through his continuous support and encouragement, GET members are empowered to experiment with innovative strategies that balance academic seriousness with aesthetic appeal, thereby positioning the International Office as a forward-looking institution responsive to the demands of the digital age.
Central to this creative undertaking is the use of Reading for Emotions, a framework developed by Ania Lian that structures narratives into six stages: Focus, Disturbance, Dialogue, Development, Resolution, and Moral. For GET members like Nok Dini and Cindi, applying this framework has not only activated their logical flow in constructing bulletins but also enriched their capacity to design content that connects emotionally with audiences. “Using the Reading for Emotions structure really challenged and expanded my thinking; it allowed me to see each bulletin not just as information, but as a story that can move and engage the viewer,” explained Nok Dini. The framework ensures that each bulletin is more than a visual record; it becomes a carefully structured story that engages viewers at an emotional level, guiding them through curiosity, reflection, and eventual insight. By combining these elements, the GET transforms Instagram stories into academic-infused creative works, capable of fostering deeper engagement with the internationalization agenda of UIN SSC.
What distinguishes this initiative further is the integration of cosmological design concepts into the aesthetic structure of the bulletins. Drawing inspiration from cosmic patterns that emphasize interconnectedness and harmony, Nok Dini and Cindi have ensured that the visual style of the Instagram stories reflects a sense of universality and global perspective. This design choice serves as a metaphor for UIN SSC’s digital internationalization strategy, illustrating that the institution’s global vision is communicated not only through text but also embedded in visual and symbolic language. In this way, the GET’s creative output does not simply present information but embodies the institution’s ethos of embracing global interconnectedness.The transition from the first to the third generation of GET members also highlights the sustainability and resilience of the International Office’s creative culture. While Cyrilia and Resa laid the foundations of the bulletin initiative, establishing its function as a promotional extension of the International Office website, Nok Dini and Cindi have carried the work forward with new levels of refinement and experimentation. This intergenerational continuity demonstrates how student-led initiatives can create lasting traditions of innovation, where each cohort builds upon the contributions of the previous one, ensuring that the institution remains vibrant and adaptive in its engagement strategies.
Ultimately, the creation of digital bulletins through the Reading for Emotions framework represents more than just an exercise in content development. It exemplifies how academic theory, creative practice, and digital media can converge to serve the strategic goals of an international office. By channeling official event archives into emotionally engaging narratives, the GET members have shown that documentation itself can become a form of storytelling, capable of inspiring pride, reflection, and connection among diverse audiences. Supported by the leadership of Lala Bumela, and enriched by the intergenerational collaboration of Cyrilia, Resa, Nok Dini, and Cindi, this initiative not only strengthens UIN SSC’s international visibility but also redefines how creativity and documentation can intersect in the digital era.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir