UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon and AMAN (The Asian Muslim Action Network) Explore Strategic Partnership to Advance Tridharma through Gender, Justice, and Sustainability
Cirebon, Auguts 13, 2025 – Universitas Islam Negeri Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC) held a significant meeting to explore strategic collaboration opportunities with the AMAN (Asia Muslim Action Network) to strengthen the Tridharma of Higher Education (education, research, and community service) with a focus on gender issues, social justice, sustainability, and progressive Islam. This pivotal discussion brought together high-level representatives from both institutions, including Dr. Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, M.Si. (Vice Rector 1), and Prof. Dr. Hajam., M.Ag. (Vice Rector 3). Also present were Dr. Faqihuddin Abdul Kodir, Lc., MA (Head of LPPM), Wakhit Hasim, M.Hum (Secretary of LPPM), Dr. Budi Manfaat (Head of Community Service and SDGs Center), Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. (Director of International Office), and Ivo Dinasta Yanuar M.Appling (Secretary of International Office. There are also of Dr. Masri'ah, M.Ag. (Head of Gender, Child, and Disability Studies Center), and Maulidya Ulfah, M.Pd.I. (Head of Publication and Ranking Center). The AMAN delegation was led by Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah (AMAN Indonesia Director), accompanied by Ghufron (IDEA Manager), Neny Adamuka (Networking Staff). From Cilem there are Maimunah Mudjahid, M.Hum (Secretary of CILEM), and Fitriana, M. H. (Program Manager of CILEM). This diverse gathering of academic leaders, researchers, and civil society representatives underscored the potential for meaningful collaboration between the university and the regional network.
The meeting commenced with AMAN representatives providing context for their mission, emphasizing that their primary goal is not to manage formal curricula but to inspire and strengthen conceptual understanding in higher education, particularly within the realm of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). They highlighted their role as facilitators connecting international practitioners from Africa, America, and other regions to contribute to educational programs like the 3-in-1 model, which integrates academics, practitioners, and regulators. This collaborative approach, developed in partnership with Universitas Brawijaya, serves as a model for integrating theory with practical application. AMAN also provides internship opportunities for students from various universities, including Mahat Ali, through a non-formalistic approach that emphasizes deep learning and mutual institutional benefits. The discussion revealed that this partnership model has already proven successful in creating meaningful educational experiences that transcend traditional academic boundaries.
In exploring the education pillar of Tridharma, both parties agreed on the necessity of a systematic approach starting from the student level through consistent study groups that engage in continuous consolidation and learning. From this foundation, more formal programs such as fellowships, student and faculty exchanges, and international classes could be developed. Prof. Dr. Hajam., M.Ag. (Vice Rector 3) emphasized UINSSC's push toward student internationalization as part of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including international internship programs. The university highlighted its current collaboration with Germany, where 20 students are participating in German language courses as part of the double track S1 program in Indonesia and Germany, with similar initiatives being explored with Japan. This context made the potential collaboration with AMAN particularly strategic, especially for promoting progressive Islam rooted in local wisdom as an alternative narrative to dominant Middle Eastern religious discourse. AMAN's potential role in faculty, student, and alumni training to become ambassadors of inclusive and just Indonesian Islamic thought was recognized as valuable.
The discussion also proposed more flexible educational collaboration models, such as regularly scheduled international guest lectures (three times per semester) focusing on gender, peace, and sustainability issues. To strengthen this collaboration, the exchange of simple curricula between institutions was suggested as a foundation for joint teaching, followed by evaluative discussions and potential collaborative research. This small-scale model was noted as having long-term impact, as demonstrated by previous experiences producing 25 podcasts with Asia Association for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ASIA CALL), which evolved into scientific publications and international books. This comprehensive approach to partnership development demonstrated both institutions' understanding that meaningful collaboration requires careful planning, consistent engagement, and mutual benefit for all stakeholders involved.
Regarding the research aspect of Tridharma, UINSSC expressed strong commitment to directing its research according to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), following rectorate guidance. AMAN was identified as having significant potential as a research partner, particularly in thematic issues such as gender, ecological justice, and local wisdom. The Publication and Ranking Center highlighted the university's initiatives toward UI Greenmetric and Halalmetric, two global ranking systems that assess sustainability and halal principle implementation in higher education management. In this context, collaborative research and publication with AMAN were deemed highly relevant, especially in themes such as inclusive education, social justice, and rural transformation.
The community service aspect discussed the challenges and innovations in implementing Community Service Programs (Kuliah Kerja Nyata/KKN). Currently, KKN at UINSSC is conducted in two models: conventional and digital. The conventional model involves students living in villages for 40 days, while the digital model is still in the conceptual development phase. Although student interest in digital KKN remains low due to unclear format and benefits, potential collaboration with AMAN's women's network could provide strengthening opportunities. For instance, students could conduct initial digital approaches to understand community contexts before direct engagement, while sharing skills such as Quranic recitation or calligraphy as forms of initial education. Additionally, UINSSC's Community Service Institute (LP2M) is developing programs integrating KKN with BPL (Local Learning Centers) and MDKN (Digital KKN Monitoring and Evaluation), emphasizing village empowerment through participatory data management. The meeting also highlighted the innovative Participatory Precision Village Data/ Data Desa Presisi Partisipatif (DDPP) approach being developed by the university, which empowers village communities as primary data managers for spatial and demographic information.
One of the key innovations being developed is the Participatory Precision Village Data (DDPP), an approach that empowers village communities as primary managers of spatial and demographic data. Unlike approaches from BPS or IPB that still rely on external expertise (supra-village), UINSSC's model emphasizes knowledge transfer and village self-reliance. Through this program, students directly engage in village mapping, helping create databases covering ecology, demographics, resources, and social issues. This data is then used for development planning, public services, and research.
In 2023, this program was piloted in six villages and will be expanded to three priority villages (Citemu, Matangaji, and Dauwadi) in 2024-2025. The results show that villages are beginning to have control over their data, even willing to allocate village funds for data updates in 2025. This approach also creates space for campuses and civil society to promote development policies that are more just, participatory, and responsive to climate change and disaster issues. The AMAN recognized the potential for their network to support and enhance these community-based initiatives through their extensive regional connections and expertise in social development.
Overall, this meeting emphasized the need for deeper synergy between UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon and AMAN, not just in technical cooperation, but as a strategic partnership oriented toward social transformation. Several concrete opportunities were identified, including: (1) developing exchange and fellowship programs based on gender issues and progressive Islam; (2) collaborative research in SDGs themes, smart villages, and ecological justice; (3) integrating gender and sustainability issues into curricula and general lectures; (4) strengthening digital and participatory KKN; and (5) organizing joint academic forums, both national and international. With AMAN's international network and UINSSC's academic capacity, both parties committed to realizing higher education that is not only academically excellent but also just, inclusive, and contributes meaningfully to global peace and sustainability.
Authors: Bilqis Syifa Shoraya and Resa Diah Gayatri