Sound, Screen, and Substance: IO–CILEM's H-2 Technical Rehearsals Signal Event Readiness
Cirebon, July 5 2025 — Two days before the international launch of CILEM 2025, the collaboration between the International Office (IO) and the Center for Islamic Law and Ethics of Mubadalah (CILEM) at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon entered its final technical stretch. On Saturday, the normally quiet office transformed into a hub of synchronized operations. Members of the Global Engagement Team (GET) and student affiliates of CILEM gathered to test, tune, and troubleshoot everything from audio systems to multimedia integration. Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office, monitored the session remotely and expressed admiration: “Even from a distance, I could sense the intensity of their focus. This isn’t just technical preparation—it’s a form of institutional articulation, where vision is executed through precision.”
The rehearsal involved a series of digital and audiovisual checks—ranging from live-streaming configurations, Zoom responsiveness, screen transitions, visual aesthetics, and multi-device coordination. CILEM’s Program Manager, Fitriana, M.H., emphasized the importance of this rehearsal phase in shaping audience perception: “We want the experience—whether online or in-person—to carry the same intellectual and emotional weight. That means the screen, sound, and structure must move as one.” Students from both GET and CILEM, including Ludfiah Rif'atul Isnaeni and Siti Robiyatul Adawiyah, showed keen responsiveness and technical agility as they handled stage cues, video loop integration, and layout orientation.
While the GET team led logistical execution, student members of CILEM took charge of visual formatting, screen control, and flow design, ensuring that each detail aligned with international standards. The collaboration wasn’t merely operational—it was reflective of institutional synchrony between two university bodies. Fitriana added, “This partnership reinforces a larger narrative: that when knowledge institutions join forces, even the smallest transitions on screen represent deep alignment between ethics, aesthetics, and messaging.” She noted how this level of preparation also strengthens students’ ability to work in real-world academic diplomacy settings.
The seminar itself—scheduled for 7 July 2025—will host several international scholars including Greg Barton (Deakin University), Samia Kotele (Lyon University), Fatima Seedat (University of Cape Town), and Faqihuddin Abdul Kodir (UIN SSC). With this diverse intellectual presence, technical harmony becomes not just a necessity, but a form of respect. The atmosphere during the rehearsal was intense yet focused. From adjusting display settings to mapping out audio delays, each task was executed with deliberation and foresight.
CILEM’s preparation team brought both rigor and reflection to the table, and Fitriana, M.H., Program Manager of CILEM, offered thoughtful insight on the entire process. “Coordinating an event of this scale requires not just detailed planning, but also emotional composure and intellectual clarity,” she noted. “What we’re witnessing is not just technical rehearsal—it’s a rehearsal of vision, communication, and shared responsibility. The students from both IO and CILEM have shown that collaboration, when rooted in purpose, can truly transcend limitations.”
As the team wrapped up their Saturday rehearsals, the documentation was submitted to Lala Bumela for final review. He concluded the day’s coordination with a written response: “This kind of collaboration doesn’t happen by default—it’s cultivated through shared ethos, focus, and cross-functional learning. What I saw today was not merely preparation for an event, but the manifestation of how UIN SSC positions itself as a serious player in global discourse.”
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir