New Chapter Begins: International Office Welcomes Official Global Engagement Team Members Following Successful Training Period"
Cirebon, August 1, 2025 — The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, under the leadership of Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. conducted a meaningful sharing session and meeting with the Trainees of Global Engagement Team – student interns from the International Office. This significant gathering marked the culmination of a one-month intensive training period, during which eleven dedicated students demonstrated their commitment to international engagement and organizational excellence. The trainees, including Keysha Aulya Febrina, Cherryshifa Hilary Afsonias, Ananditamala Syalwa Heryana, Wulan Putri Islami, Nok Dini Wulan Ramadani, Cindi Aulia, Laily Dwi Islami Azzahra, Azizatul Fikriyah Al Qory, Septiani Lu'luatul Fajriyah, Muthie'ah Umuril Adyan, Bilqis Syifa Shoraya, and Nurul Istiqomah, presented their portfolios detailing their contributions and experiences during their training period. The event represented a transition from trainees to official team members, symbolizing their readiness to take on greater responsibilities in advancing the International Office's global mission.
Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. emphasized the invaluable nature of hands-on experience, particularly within team organizational structures that cannot be fully replicated in traditional classroom settings. "The knowledge you gain through direct involvement in team activities is irreplaceable," he stated. "These experiences teach you collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving skills that no textbook can fully capture." He highlighted how practical engagement provides learning opportunities that transcend theoretical knowledge, offering students real-world insights into international collaboration and professional development.
A significant portion of the session focused on evaluating how the trainees approached various challenges during their training period. When reviewing their problem-solving methods, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. observed, "The way you handle disturbances and find solutions reveals your true potential as future leaders. Every obstacle is an opportunity to demonstrate creativity and resilience." He emphasized that proper documentation not only serves current organizational needs but also creates a lasting legacy for future team members and institutional development. The Director's assessment revealed not just their technical capabilities but also their adaptability and resilience in facing real-world organizational challenges. This focus on documentation and problem-solving reflects the International Office's professional standards and commitment to sustainable organizational growth. His guidance helped trainees understand that challenges should be viewed as stepping stones to professional development rather than mere obstacles.
The session provided trainees with an opportunity to share their personal reflections and messages about their experiences within the International Office, creating a moment of genuine connection and mutual appreciation. Keysha Aulya Febrina expressed how her involvement in editing international content videos allowed her to express her creativity in meaningful ways, stating, "Working on video editing for international content gave me a platform to channel my creative energy while contributing to something bigger than myself. It felt like my artistic skills finally had a purpose that aligns with my academic journey." Ananditamala Syalwa Heryana shared that moderating the "Capacity Building for Digital Content Creators" workshop gave her a chance to return to public speaking after her active high school years, rebuilding her confidence in professional settings. "Being a moderator brought back memories of my high school days when I used to perform on stage," she reflected. "But this time, it felt more meaningful because I was facilitating knowledge sharing and connecting with professionals."
Wulan Putri Islami highlighted the supportive mentorship she received from senior interns such as Farah Syifa and Cyrila Zahra, which made her assigned tasks feel less burdensome and more like collaborative learning experiences. "The guidance I received from my senior teammates made all the difference," she shared. "They didn't just teach me how to do the work, they made me feel valued and supported throughout the entire process. Their mentorship turned challenging tasks into enjoyable learning experiences." Other team members also expressed their gratitude for the supportive environment and growth opportunities provided during their training period. These personal testimonials revealed the transformative impact of the training period on individual student development and confidence building, demonstrating the program's success in nurturing both professional skills and personal growth.
The formal conclusion of the meeting featured the signing of contracts and the official induction of the new Global Engagement Team members, marking their transition from trainees to full team members. Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. encouraged the new team members to continue growing and learning from each challenge they would inevitably encounter in their roles. "The skills you've developed during this training period are just the beginning. Stay curious, stay committed, and never stop learning from every experience." The ceremony symbolized not just the end of a training period but the beginning of a new chapter in the International Office's history, with these eleven students now serving as official ambassadors of the institution's global engagement mission. This successful training cycle sets a positive precedent for future cohorts and reinforces the International Office's reputation as a nurturing environment for global leadership development.
Author: Resa Diah Gayatri