International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Sets Research and Employability as Pillars for Global University Status
Cirebon, May 21, 2025 — The 2025 Leadership Summit of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC) gathered key figures in Islamic higher education, including Amien Suyitno (Director General of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs), Prof. Dr. Aan Jaelani, M.Ag (Rector of UIN SSC), and Lala Bumela, Ph.D. (Director of the International Office and Partnership UIN SSC). This high-level meeting served to realign institutional priorities with UIN SSC’s ambition to become a world-class university.
A central theme emerged during the summit: to achieve global university status, institutions must be research-active and produce highly employable graduates. This was underscored by Lala Bumela, Ph.D., in his keynote remarks: “To be globally recognized, a university must be a hub of innovation through continuous, impactful research. But that is only half the equation. Our graduates must also be competitive and ready for the demands of international job markets,” he explained.
The summit was held shortly after UIN SSC received an “Excellent” (Unggul) accreditation rating from BAN-PT, marking a pivotal milestone ahead of its first anniversary as a full-fledged university. Under the theme “From Good Governance to World Class University: Strengthening BLU and Digital Ecosystem for Islamic Cyber Education,” the summit outlined strategies for 2026 and reinforced UIN SSC’s commitment to academic innovation and digital transformation.
The presence of Amien Suyitno further underscored the event’s significance. He reflected on his foundational role in transforming UIN SSC from IAIN, describing the Digital Multimedia University (DMU) vision as a forward-looking evolution aimed at fostering impactful collaboration and a joyful learning environment where technology enhances creativity rather than limits it. In his address, Amien Suyitno praised UIN SSC’s evolution from IAIN, referring to its vision of a Digital Multimedia University (DMU) as a model for future-ready education—creative, collaborative, and enriched by technology.
Rector Aan Jaelani emphasized UIN SSC’s proactive approach to global competitiveness through initiatives such as digital-based university enterprises and international academic collaborations.
The International Office and Partnership UIN SSC, under the leadership of Lala Bumela, Ph.D., continues to play a critical role in fostering global partnerships focused on joint research, academic mobility, student entrepreneurship, and innovative digital pedagogy. To structure these efforts, the summit established five strategic commissions: Academic Affairs, Research, Technology, Human Resources, and Partnerships & BLU. The International Office and Partnership is particularly committed to expanding bilateral collaborations that directly impact both institutional rankings and student outcomes.
As the summit concluded, Lala Bumela, Ph.D. emphasized that meaningful global engagement must always be grounded in institutional values and academic excellence, positioning UIN SSC as a digitally connected, value-driven university ready to shape the future of Islamic higher education.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir