International Office Advances Global Talent Selection through SN-GES 2025 Pre-Interview for Nigerian Candidates
Cirebon, April 19, 2025 — The International Office and Partnership (IOP) of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon continues to play a vital role in expanding the university’s global footprint through the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellence Scholarship (SN-GES) 2025. Recently, the IOP led a pre-interview session for four Nigerian candidates who had successfully passed the initial desk review. This session was personally chaired by Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Director of the International Office, alongside a dedicated scholarship recruitment team. The candidates is Aliyu Masaudu, Muhammad Bello Abbas, Haruna Musa Balarabe, and Umar Abba represented a pool of promising future scholars ready to embark on their academic journey at UIN SSC.
The pre-interview was conducted online on Thursday, April 19, 2024, and evaluated students based on five key dimensions: personal motivation, academic fit, readiness for digital learning, critical thinking, and long-term goals. Each candidate was assessed using a detailed rubric with ten core criteria ranging from academic preparedness to leadership potential. “We’re not just selecting students, we’re welcoming future ambassadors of our university,” said Lala Bumela Sudimantara,Ph.D., The professionalism and passion shown by the Nigerian participants reinforced UIN SSC’s commitment to nurturing high-caliber international scholars.
What stood out in the pre-interview process was the diverse strength of each applicant. Aliyu Masaudu, who applied to the Faculty of Dakwah and Islamic Communication (FDKI), had memorized 26 Juz of the Quran and showed excellent articulation and public speaking skills. Meanwhile, Muhammad Bello Abbas impressed the team with strong analytical thinking and 20 Juz of memorization, applying to the Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business (FEBI). Each of the four candidates brought their own unique blend of intellectual and spiritual strengths, aligning closely with the values promoted by UIN SSC’s global academic vision.
The International Office ensured that the assessment remained holistic and culturally sensitive, recognizing not just academic achievements but also personal integrity and readiness to adapt to a new learning environment. These interviews were not simply a test but an early step in building trust and familiarity between the university and its future international students. The use of structured interviews and a fair scoring system underscores IOP’s dedication to transparency and excellence in student recruitment. It is clear that UIN SSC, through the IOP, is positioning itself as a serious player in international higher education.
Following the pre-interview, all four candidates have advanced to the next stage: interviews with their respective faculty departments. This progression reflects IOP’s organized approach to onboarding, ensuring students are academically matched and emotionally prepared. The scholarship program, expected to welcome new students by August 2025, will also include language and cultural immersion programs facilitated by the International Office. These next steps are critical in helping international students transition smoothly into life at UIN SSC, both academically and socially. This initiative marks yet another milestone in UIN SSC’s internationalization strategy. By building strong, person-centered recruitment mechanisms, the International Office not only enhances the university’s global profile but also fosters inclusive, diverse academic communities. The SN-GES program, driven by IOP’s leadership, reflects a broader mission of embracing global excellence through education. These efforts also demonstrate Indonesia’s growing commitment to offering quality Islamic higher education to the world.
As the university prepares to welcome these potential scholars, the International Office stands at the forefront, bridging borders and building futures. “We’re creating more than scholarship opportunities—we’re shaping meaningful global connections,” said Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., With continued dedication and collaboration, UINSSC is well on its way to becoming a vibrant hub for international academic engagement.
Author: Indra Maulana Arfan Azis