UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Leads National Initiative to Modernize English Teacher Education by Establishing Strategic Alliance with University of West England
Cirebon, August 5, 2025 — In a significant move to address critical challenges in Indonesian education, UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon held a strategic meeting aimed at transforming pre-service English teacher training. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Director of the International Office at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon; Dr. Tareq Umar from the University of West England (UWE), Bristol, UK; and Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D., who joined as a research collaborator from UIN Palangka Raya. This collaboration represents a pivotal step toward addressing persistent gaps in pre-service English teacher preparation across Indonesia, where many educators enter classrooms inadequately equipped for the demands of modern language instruction. The partnership offers mutual benefits, providing UWE with valuable insights into emerging educational markets and cross-cultural research opportunities in one of Asia’s largest English language learning contexts.
Indonesia’s education system faces significant challenges in preparing quality English teachers, particularly due to inconsistencies in training programs and a lack of practical classroom experience during pre-service education. Many graduates struggle to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, leading to suboptimal teaching practices that affect millions of students nationwide. The absence of standardized, innovative training models exacerbates these issues, creating disparities in educational quality across institutions. Recognizing these systemic problems, UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon seeks international expertise to develop more effective teacher preparation strategies. This initiative aims to create sustainable solutions that can be scaled across Indonesian institutions, ultimately improving educational outcomes for future generations.
The meeting builds upon the British Council’s Transnational Education (TNE) 2025 partnerships program, which connects the UK with 14 countries, including Indonesia. This initiative focuses on fostering collaborative solutions that promote long-term and sustainable institutional change, emphasizing inclusive access to high-quality education. UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon sees this partnership as an opportunity to leverage global best practices while addressing local needs. For UWE, this collaboration enhances their international research profile and strengthens their position in the competitive landscape of global higher education partnerships. The university benefits from increased visibility in the Southeast Asian educational market, potentially opening doors for future collaborations and student exchange programs. The involvement of Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D., as a research collaborator from UIN Palangka Raya, adds valuable expertise and ensures that the project incorporates diverse perspectives from within Indonesia itself.
During the meeting, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. highlighted the critical importance of this collaboration in addressing Indonesia’s educational challenges, particularly in English language instruction. “Our education system requires transformative solutions that bridge the gap between what universities teach and what classrooms actually demand,” he stated. The partnership with UWE offers a unique opportunity to develop evidence-based approaches that can be replicated across Indonesian institutions. Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D., contributed his expertise as a research collaborator, bringing additional insights into the challenges faced by pre-service English teachers in Indonesia. The partnership also offers opportunities for UWE faculty and students to engage in international research experiences, enhancing their global perspective and research capabilities.
Dr. Tareq Umar introduced the RISE framework (Research, Innovation, Skills, Enterprise) as a guiding principle for the proposed collaboration. RISE emphasizes world-class thinking that solves real-world problems through innovation that rewrites existing rules. It focuses on upskilling today’s educators to prepare tomorrow’s workforce while fostering enterprises that drive meaningful progress in education. This approach is particularly relevant given Indonesia’s need for practical, implementable solutions rather than purely theoretical concepts. The framework’s emphasis on enterprise development ensures that initiatives remain sustainable beyond the initial project period. By integrating research with practical innovation, the collaboration aims to create evidence-based solutions that can be applied directly in classroom settings.
The meeting also covered practical aspects of the collaboration, including the application process for funding through the British Council’s TNE Exploratory Grant. Participants reviewed detailed guidelines focusing on operational costs, marketing expenses, and travel expenditures, ensuring transparent cost allocation and funding mechanisms. This meticulous planning reflects the commitment of both institutions to establishing a robust and sustainable research partnership.
The collaboration will focus on developing pilot programs that can be tested and refined before broader implementation. The initiative aims to create a replicable model that other Indonesian institutions can adopt to improve their teacher preparation programs. As the next steps unfold, UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon continues to position itself as a leader in addressing global educational challenges through international collaboration. This partnership represents hope for transforming pre-service English teacher education in Indonesia, potentially impacting thousands of future educators and millions of students nationwide.
Author: Resa Diah Gayatri