Promoting Cooperation: English Department Student Association (EDSA) Delivers E-CON Updates to International Office UIN SSC
Cirebon, Sepetember, 19th 2025 — Muhammad Fadil, the President of the English Department Student Association (EDSA) at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, personally visited the International Office and Partnership Division of UIN SSC to formally submit several key documents related to the 2025 E-CON (English Contest). This annual competition, traditionally organized by EDSA, is being elevated to an international scale for the first time through collaboration with the International Office. According to Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office, “We highly appreciate Muhammad Fadil’s initiative and the professionalism of EDSA. This is the kind of student-led program that can raise our international profile. I encourage him to expand E-CON even further to countries such as Nigeria, the Philippines, Thailand, and beyond.”
The E-CON 2025 event represents a milestone in student-driven internationalization efforts at UIN SSC. Over the past decade, the competition has provided a platform for English language learners from across Indonesia to demonstrate their linguistic abilities. With this year’s collaboration, the contest will for the first time accept participants from universities and secondary schools abroad, creating a space for cross-cultural interaction and mutual learning. Muhammad Fadil stated, “For years, E-CON has been a proud tradition of our association. Bringing it to an international stage is both a challenge and an opportunity for us to grow. We want E-CON to become a place where students from all over the world can share ideas, build friendships, and showcase their talents in English.” The International Office has played an instrumental role in connecting EDSA with partner institutions overseas and providing administrative support to make the event possible.
This year’s E-CON will feature five main categories designed to showcase a wide range of English language skills and creativity: Storytelling, Speech, Short Creative Video Production, Spelling Bee, and Short Story Writing. Each category emphasizes not only language mastery but also critical thinking, creativity, and intercultural communication—values that align with UIN SSC’s mission as a cyber-university with a multicultural environment. Lala Bumela remarked, “By opening these categories to an international audience, we are not just holding a competition; we are creating a hub of global dialogue where young people learn to respect diversity and practice diplomacy through language.”
In preparation for the international launch, EDSA has been actively developing online platforms, digital registration systems, and virtual judging protocols. These innovations will ensure that the contest runs smoothly for participants from different time zones and that it remains transparent and accessible. Meanwhile, the International Office is coordinating with embassies and partner universities to publicize the event and recruit qualified judges with international reputations in English language education. Both sides have also been planning workshops, webinars, and cultural exchange sessions to complement the competition.
The partnership between EDSA and the International Office reflects UIN SSC’s broader strategy to integrate student initiatives with the university’s global engagement agenda. It signals a shift from purely academic cooperation to also empowering student organizations to play a leading role in internationalization. For EDSA, this collaboration not only enhances the visibility of its flagship program but also provides valuable experience in cross-border project management, sponsorship negotiation, and intercultural networking—skills that will benefit its members far beyond graduation.
As preparations intensify, optimism is high on both sides. Muhammad Fadil expressed his gratitude for the International Office’s support and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining high standards for E-CON 2025. Lala Bumela concluded, “We see this as more than a contest. This is an incubator for future leaders and a testament to how our students can contribute to UIN SSC’s international partnerships. With dedication and creativity, E-CON 2025 can set a new benchmark for student-led events in Indonesia and across the region.”
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir