Sharing Session with Dr. Agus Salim: Building Academic Bridges to Oxford through OCIS Fellowship
Cirebon, August 7th, 2025 — Hundreds of participants from International Offices of Islamic higher education institutions across Indonesia—including student interns from UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon—attended an inspiring online session titled “Experience as a Chevening Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS).” The session, organized by the Directorate of Islamic Higher Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, gathered more than 370 participants via Zoom. It served as a valuable platform to learn directly from the international academic journey of Dr. Agus Salim, a lecturer from the Faculty of Ushuluddin at UIN Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi.
During his presentation, Dr. Agus elaborated on the strategic role of OCIS as a leading Islamic studies center affiliated with the University of Oxford and connected with 43 colleges within the university. He emphasized that OCIS is not only a research center, but also a space for cross-cultural collaboration and intellectual exchange. “OCIS gave me the opportunity to build invaluable international networks—both academically and socially,” said Dr. Agus Salim to the participants.
As a Chevening Fellow, Dr. Agus outlined the rigorous yet clear application process. It begins with completing an online form that includes essays on leadership, networking skills, and post-fellowship contribution plans. Candidates then proceed through two interview phases—one with the Chevening panel and another with the OCIS team, focusing on research quality and alignment with global Islamic agendas. According to him, a clear vision and strong personal motivation are key selection factors.
While at Oxford, Dr. Agus not only conducted research but was also actively engaged in the Indonesian diaspora community. He became a speaker at the At-Taqwa Oxfordshire Islamic study group, sharing thoughts on Ramadan and Sufism. These engagements were part of his soft diplomacy mission, representing Indonesian Islamic values on the global stage. “To me, being in Oxford is about bringing Indonesia’s Islamic perspective to international audiences,” he shared.
The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, which attended and documented the session, sees this activity as part of its broader internationalization strategy. It is not only about exposing students and lecturers to global academic paths, but also about encouraging them to set fellowship programs as future career milestones. “We want our student interns to recognize global opportunities early and start preparing from now,” stated Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Director of International Office UINSSC.
The session also provided detailed information on the Chevening Fellowship application timeline, which typically runs from August to June the following year. The visuals and explanations made the process accessible, encouraging both lecturers and students to begin crafting their research proposals early. With a transparent and merit-based selection process, the fellowship offers a real opportunity for those committed to advancing Islamic scholarship and global leadership.
By the end of the session, the discussion was lively, with participants showing great enthusiasm. Many expressed their interest in applying and were motivated to start preparing their proposals immediately. The International Office recorded this event as one of the most positively received sessions in 2025. With such collaborative and participatory spirit, this sharing session reaffirmed the International Office’s role—not just as a facilitator, but as a driver of global academic transformation.
Author: Maulida Rahma