UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Introduces Academic Portal and SiberGO! Application to International Students as Part of the SN-GES 2025 Orientation Program
Cirebon, September 22, 2025 — Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Director of the International Office at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, personally oversaw a digital orientation session for four international students from Nigeria who are participating in the Syekh Nurjati Global Engagement Series (SN-GES) 2025. The students, Aliyu Masaudu (Islamic Communication and Broadcasting), Muhammad Bello Abbas (Sharia Accounting), Haruna Musa Ballarabe (Sharia Economics), and Ummar Abba (Qur’anic and Tafsir Studies), attended the session as their first formal step into academic life at the university. The orientation aimed to equip these new international students with a fundamental understanding of the university’s digital academic systems. Its main focus was to introduce them to the Academic Portal and the SiberGO! mobile app, two essential platforms that support day-to-day learning and campus activities. The participants were guided directly by members of the Global Engagement Team: Indra Maulana Arfan Ajiz, Tsamara Bahira Alzena, Shofiatul Faqriyah, along with other team members. As Lala Bumela Sudimantara Ph.D., expressed during his opening remarks, “We don’t just welcome our international students; we empower them with the tools to succeed.”
The facilitators ensured that each student understood how to use the university’s academic systems from the very beginning, applying an interactive and approachable method. The session introduced two primary platforms: UIN Siber’s Academic Portal, a web-based system, and SiberGO!, a mobile application. The Academic Portal serves as a centralized system where students can fill out their course registration (KRS), view class schedules, access semester grades, and download official academic documents such as transcripts or active enrollment letters. Meanwhile, SiberGO! allows students to access key campus services through their phones, from checking attendance to receiving academic announcements.
The session began with the creation of institutional email accounts, which serve as the students’ primary digital identity at UIN Siber. This email is used for all formal academic communications and is the main key to accessing both the Academic Portal and SiberGO!. Each student received hands-on assistance during the account activation and initial login process. Once logged in, they were introduced to the Academic Portal interface, how to fill out the KRS, view schedules, and track academic records. “We want to make sure there are no technical barriers from day one,” said Shofiatul Faqriyah, one of the facilitators. Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. also noted during this stage, “Digital readiness is the foundation for successful integration into our academic community.”
After activating their accounts, the students were asked to download the SiberGO! app and explore its features in real time. Facilitators guided them individually, explaining important functions such as attendance tracking, course information, and access to various campus services. The peer-led support created a welcoming environment and encouraged active engagement. With this practical and student-friendly approach, the participants gained more confidence in navigating the digital systems that were previously unfamiliar to them.
The students expressed great enthusiasm as they interacted directly with the campus digital platforms. They appreciated the orientation’s clear structure and ease of understanding. The introduced features were considered helpful in understanding the academic processes and the university’s digital ecosystem. This experience marked an important starting point in their adaptation to a new learning environment. Facilitators also emphasized that all academic activities, including announcements and administrative access would be centralized through the two digital platforms.
This initiative reflects UIN Siber’s strong commitment to building an inclusive learning environment that adapts to technological advancements. The hands-on and user-oriented approach ensures that all students, local and international, are ready to face the dynamics of digital learning. This digital orientation is part of a broader strategy toward developing a smart campus. Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. reaffirmed this vision by stating, “Technology is not just a tool, it’s an equalizer that ensures access, accountability, and connection for every student.”
Moving forward, the facilitators will continue to provide both technical and non-technical support to help students maximize their use of campus platforms. The presence of international students like them represents an essential part of UIN Siber’s ongoing efforts to globalize higher education. Early support like this is expected to foster a more comfortable, adaptive, and guided learning experience. The university remains committed to delivering accessible services and a relevant academic ecosystem for the digital era.
Author: Cindi Aulia