One Hour Before the Double Track Program Begins, GET Team Resonates with Lala Bumela’s Emphasis on Global Employability and Expanding Career Pathways in Europe
Cirebon, August, 3rd 2025 — One hour before the official launching of the Double Track Program and the inauguration of the Syekh Nurjati German Centre, the atmosphere inside the International Office of UIN SSC was filled with anticipation. At its center stood Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office, addressing the Global Engagement Team (GET) who were entrusted as the main committee of the historic event. “Graduation may seem far, but two years will pass quickly,” he began, his tone both encouraging and firm. “That time is enough if you dedicate yourself daily to prepare, but too short if you let opportunities slip by. Every step you take should align with international standards.” His words set a reflective mood, reminding the team that the event they were about to host was more than ceremonial—it was part of a larger preparation for their global future.
The Global Engagement Team, composed of UIN SSC’s finest student representatives, gathered intently around him, taking in each reminder with seriousness. The discussion was not about stage settings or protocol but about careers, growth, and employability on the world stage. With the presence of Global Katalyst, the Language Development Center, and other language institutions soon to follow in the launching event, the weight of their responsibility became clear. Lala Bumela redirected their focus: “Do not think of this only as an event. Think of it as training ground for who you will become—graduates capable of navigating Europe, Asia, or any part of the world.”
This pre-event dialogue became a rare moment of mentoring, where formality dissolved into heartfelt exchange. The GET team members, who were often occupied with technical duties of event preparation, suddenly found themselves reflecting on their own journeys. They recognized that employability was not an abstract promise but a challenge that demanded daily commitment. By urging them to consistently improve in language proficiency, intercultural competence, and professionalism, Lala Bumela placed employability within their grasp—something earned step by step, not granted at graduation.
His emphasis on Europe, in particular, painted a vivid horizon for the team. He urged them to imagine not only the celebration of launching the German Centre but also the doors it could open. “The pathways are there,” he insisted, “but you must be ready to walk them. Employers in Europe and beyond seek those who are not only skilled but adaptive, resilient, and globally minded. Begin that mindset now, and you will be ready when the time comes.” The message was not a mere instruction, but a vision of possibilities that reframed their tasks with greater meaning.
As the clock ticked closer to the launching, the GET team carried with them not just logistical readiness but also an inner resolve. They understood that their work as a committee symbolized the very values they were called to embody: discipline, adaptability, and global outlook. The upcoming event, attended by international partners, was an outward display, but the private meeting with their director had etched a deeper lesson—one that they would carry into their studies and careers.
In the end, the meeting became a bridge between the present and the future. While banners and preparations awaited outside, inside the room the Global Engagement Team encountered a moral awakening: that employability is not built in a single moment but crafted in the discipline of every day. As Lala Bumela, Ph.D., concluded, international standards are not constraints but opportunities to rise. For the GET team, one hour before the launching became a timeless reminder—that their real launching is not of a program, but of their own global journeys yet to unfold.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir