International Event in Focus: IO UIN SSC and EDSA Deliver the Latest Updates to Advance Global Partnerships
Cirebon, August, 1st 2025 — Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office of Universitas Islam Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, has long envisioned the university as an active player in global academic exchange. That vision found a concrete form when the International Office partnered with the English Department Students Association (EDSA) to launch E-CON 2025, the English Contest that, for the first time, steps beyond national borders under the theme Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Cultural Differences through English. “An international event is not simply about competing, but about building bridges of understanding that will outlast the competition itself,” remarked Lala Bumela, setting the tone for the ambitious collaboration. The contest—featuring Short Creative Video, Spelling Bee, and Short Story Writing—invites participants from diverse backgrounds to engage in dialogue through English. Yet, as expectations rise, so too do the questions: can a student-led organization translate its local enthusiasm into a professional international event that meets the demands of global partnership?
The core of E-CON 2025 lies not only in competition but in cultivating a stage where talent and culture converge. Through its various categories, the event seeks to highlight English as a medium for unity rather than separation. Muhammad Fadil, President of EDSA, shared his conviction: “We feel both excited and challenged. This collaboration with the International Office pushes us to think beyond our borders, and to see English not only as a subject, but as a medium to unite cultures.” His optimism was reinforced by senior members like Fika Nabila and Syakilah Azzahra, who echoed the sentiment that this step forward marked a transformation from tradition into international relevance.
Responding to these aspirations, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., offered his insights with the clarity of global experience. “Your enthusiasm is the fuel, but direction is what will take you further. International standards are not barriers; they are opportunities for you to frame your creativity in a way the world will recognize,” he stated. His words were not merely advisory but a framework that allowed the students to reshape their ideas into something sustainable. Through his mentorship, ambition and practice began to find a common language.
As preparations deepened, the meaning of E-CON 2025 grew beyond the logistics of an English contest. It became an emblem of how young scholars could elevate their identity through intercultural dialogue. Lala Bumela, Ph.D., underscored this vision by saying, “Global engagement is not about size, but about sincerity. When you create with openness and respect for differences, the world will listen.” These words anchored the students’ confidence, reminding them that authenticity and respect for diversity are as vital as technical excellence.
The collaboration between the International Office and EDSA ultimately demonstrates how institutional guidance and student initiative can merge into impactful outcomes. By aligning creativity with international expectations, E-CON 2025 is poised to inspire not just its contestants but also the academic community at large. For UIN SSC, the event signifies progress in its mission to build global partnerships, while for the students it becomes a defining experience of growth, responsibility, and cultural appreciation.
E-CON 2025, then, is more than an academic exercise; it is a lesson in resilience and a testament to vision. Its story reflects the mission of the International Office to nurture students who can embrace the world without losing their roots. As Lala Bumela, Ph.D., often reminds, true internationalization does not begin in distant capitals but within the courage of local initiatives that dare to reach outward. From the heart of Cirebon to the global stage, the event affirms a timeless moral: unity in diversity thrives when young people embrace difference not as a challenge, but as a shared destiny.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir