Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Shines on the Global Stage: Leads the Writing of an International Book on Multisensory Education in Indonesia, in Collaboration with Experts from Thailand to Australia
Cirebon, April 19, 2025—From the academic halls of Indonesia, a voice for change is now echoing onto the global stage. Dr. Lala Bumela Sudimantara has once again affirmed his place as one of Indonesia’s leading minds in education. As a lecturer and the Director of the International Office at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC), Dr. Lala has been chosen as the lead author of an upcoming international publication titled Multisensory CALL for Under-Resourced Universities and Schools in Indonesia, to be released by the prestigious Springer–Palgrave Macmillan.
“Finally, our book is officially listed on the Springer website, hosted by Palgrave Macmillan. I can’t express how overwhelming and humbling it is to be the lead author for such a world-class project,” Dr. Lala shared, his voice filled with gratitude and emotion. His words are a powerful reminder that great works are born from unwavering dedication and cross-border collaboration.
This book is more than an academic publication—it is a strategic contribution to addressing the learning crisis in under-resourced schools and universities. By championing a Multisensory Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) approach, the book introduces educational innovations grounded in neuroscience, technology, and cultural responsiveness—a visionary solution for the future of education, both in Indonesia and beyond.
Dr. Lala did not work alone. He joined forces with outstanding thinkers in the field:
- Dr. Luqman Baehaqi, Senior Lecturer at IAIN Palangka Raya, Director of its International Office, and Head of its Research and Community Engagement Center, who holds a Ph.D. from Charles Darwin University.
- Dr. Ania Lian, senior academic at Charles Darwin University, Australia, known as a pioneer in Computer-Assisted Language Learning and student-centered education.
- Professor Andrew-Peter Lian, a distinguished figure in language education, currently a Professor at Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand and Professor Emeritus at the University of Canberra, Australia.
Together, they have shown that a scholar from a small Indonesian town can lead the charge in global educational discourse—not merely follow it. This work brings together cross-national, interdisciplinary insights, making it a vital reference for educators, researchers, and policymakers committed to educational equity.
Scheduled for release on July 4, 2025, the book is already available for pre-order on Springer’s official website. That Springer—one of the world’s most influential academic publishers—has chosen to publish this work speaks volumes about its strategic importance and intellectual merit.
This achievement is not just a point of pride for UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon—it is a bold statement: from a state university campus in Cirebon, ideas have emerged that speak to the educational challenges of the world’s most marginalized communities. And with this, Indonesia is no longer simply a receiver of global discourse—it is actively helping shape it.