The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Advances Cross-Departmental Research Collaboration and Curriculum Alignment with Mindanao State University Philippines
Cirebon, May 15, 2025 — UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC), through its International Office (IO), hosted an internal coordination meeting to prepare for a collaborative academic engagement with Mindanao State University, Philippines. The meeting was attended by Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. (Director of International Office), Ivo Dinasta Yanuar, S.S., M.Appling (Secretary of the International Office), Dr. Fuad Nawawi, M.Ud. (Head of Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy Department), Musahwi, M.Sos. (Head of Sociology Department), and Nurlaili Khikmawati, M.Pd. (Secretary of Sociology Department). Their presence represented a cross-section of academic and administrative leadership committed to strengthening UIN SSC’s role in global research and curriculum innovation. The meeting was held at the International Office, reaffirming the office's leadership in building strategic academic partnerships.
Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., opened the meeting by highlighting the strategic importance of the collaboration offer received from Mindanao State University, Philippines. The invitation includes opportunities for joint research, curriculum development, and academic exchange between UIN SSC’s Sociology and Islamic Philosophy departments and their counterparts in the Philippines. “This is more than just an MoA—it’s an opportunity to co-create knowledge and connect local wisdom with international academic discourse,” he stated. The meeting emphasized that the partnership would begin with curriculum collaboration as a first step toward deeper institutional alignment. The International Office will play a central role in facilitating and documenting the process across all involved departments.
A key part of the discussion focused on shared research interests. Both parties agreed that research efforts would prioritize themes rooted in local wisdom, aiming to produce work that not only contributes to academic fields but also responds to social and cultural needs. The initiative, aligned with the ASEAN Faculty Initiative (AFI), will serve as a platform for contextual, community-based research. This emphasis on relevance and impact is in line with UIN SSC’s broader vision of socially engaged scholarship under the coordination of the International Office.
The meeting also addressed the importance of accessible and bilingual academic materials. It was agreed that all curriculum documents developed in collaboration with Mindanao State University would be produced in both Bahasa Indonesia and English. These documents must include curriculum alignment frameworks and concise summaries to support mutual understanding. This bilingual approach is intended to enhance academic mobility and ensure inclusivity in cross-border academic collaborations. The International Office will ensure that publication standards and formatting are met across both language versions.
To enhance academic exchange, the plan includes a visiting lecturer program and joint academic events focused on curriculum enhancement and shared research dissemination. These initiatives are intended to foster sustained dialogue and reciprocal learning between faculty members. The International Office will oversee coordination logistics and timelines to ensure the implementation flows seamlessly across departments.
Transparency and visibility of the collaboration were also underscored during the meeting. It was agreed that all activities under this partnership should be documented, published, and shared on each institution’s official platforms. Faculty profiles will be uploaded to respective websites to ease communication and increase research discoverability. These steps reflect UIN SSC’s commitment to ethical and open academic cooperation in line with international standards.
As a concrete follow-up, the International Office confirmed a joint meeting with Mindanao State University scheduled for May 22, 2025, at 09:00 WIB to finalize collaborative agendas and responsibilities. Key outcomes from this upcoming meeting are expected to include a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and timeline for launching the first round of collaborative research and curriculum activities. The International Office will also draft the publication plan for transparency and stakeholder engagement. This methodical, inclusive approach demonstrates how UIN SSC’s IO serves not only as a liaison but as a strategic engine of internationalization.
Through this meeting, UIN SSC reaffirmed its strategic focus on research-based, value-driven international partnerships. With the International Office steering efforts, the university is building a model of collaborative engagement rooted in shared values, academic excellence, and mutual benefit. “Collaboration starts with understanding—and that’s what we’re building here,” concluded Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. As preparations move forward, the International Office remains committed to guiding the process with precision, inclusivity, and long-term vision.
Authors: Cahya Salsabilla, Nurhusni Yusriyyah Yumna, and Resa Diah Gayatri