The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Strengthens Coordination for Global Excellence Scholarship 2025
Cirebon, May 15, 2025 — The International Office (IO) of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon hosted a technical coordination meeting to finalize preparations for the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellence Scholarship (SN-GES) 2025. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders from within the university, including Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. (Director of International Office), Zainal Arifin, S.Ag. (Head of General and Academic Affairs Bureau), Basiran, S.Ag., M.A., Hartawan, S.I.P., Miin Sugiyanto, M.Pd.I., Tia Triana Suharyantini, S.IP., Mukti Ali Fauzi, S.Pd.I., Abdul Mubarok, S.IP., M.Si., and Riyanto, M.Kom. These participants represented various university units, including the Center for Information Technology, Academic and Admissions Teams, and the Integrated Services Center. Their presence emphasized the institutional commitment to improving international student services through coordinated efforts.
The meeting opened with a presentation from the SN-GES team, led by Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., who outlined the technical steps underway to ensure a smooth admission process for incoming international scholarship recipients. He shared that all candidates had completed a pre-interview phase and that the second batch of students is expected to arrive in August. “We want our international students to feel prepared and supported from the moment they land in Indonesia,” Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. said. He also noted that a Bahasa Indonesia course will be provided starting in July as part of their academic and cultural orientation. These efforts reflect the International Office’s proactive approach to integrating international students both linguistically and socially.
A critical point discussed during the meeting was the improvement of student housing facilities at the university’s mahad (Islamic dormitory), where all international students will reside. Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. highlighted the importance of upgrading these accommodations and ensuring they meet the needs of diverse students. “We need to make sure our facilities represent the quality we strive for as a global institution,” he added. The team agreed to coordinate with the dormitory administrators to create a more student-centered environment. Improving these conditions is part of a broader mission by the International Office to provide international students with a supportive and respectful living space.
The meeting also touched on tuition and financial assistance matters. It was agreed that for certain under-enrolled academic programs, tuition fees would be waived to encourage enrollment from international applicants. Additionally, the International Office confirmed that flight costs will be fully covered for students from Southeast Asia and 50% covered for those from outside the region. These financial policies are part of the scholarship's appeal and are meant to reduce barriers for qualified international students. The inclusion of these support systems further illustrates the IO’s dedication to creating accessible global education pathways.
From the administrative side, Zainal Arifin, S.Ag., emphasized the importance of streamlining the registration process for international students. He proposed the use of Google Forms as a complementary tool to traditional portfolio submissions. Additionally, a letter of good conduct will now be required as part of the application process—an effort to align with international admission standards. This shift reflects the university’s intention to maintain both academic excellence and character-based admissions criteria.
Another key recommendation from the meeting was to adjust the internship timeline under SN-GES to better match student availability and academic calendars. The International Office will also coordinate more closely with the mahad leadership to ensure that dormitory life includes personalized student engagement. The aim is to provide not just housing, but a sense of belonging for students living far from home. Discussions also included how to manage semesterly dormitory costs to ensure they remain conducive for all scholarship recipients. These logistical improvements are being closely managed under the guidance of the International Office.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored UIN SSC’s strong institutional collaboration in preparing for the arrival of international students under the SN-GES program. With the International Office at the forefront, efforts are being channeled into ensuring academic readiness, cultural adaptation, and student well-being. “This is more than just scholarship placement—it’s about building a global learning community at UIN SSC,” said Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. As the university prepares to welcome the next cohort of international students, the International Office remains committed to leading with vision, precision, and care.
Authors: Eka Fitrianingsih and Resa Diah Gayatri