UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC) Launches International Class to Shape a Globally-Ready Generation
Cirebon, July 04, 2025 — The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UINSSC) has taken a strategic step by launching a new international language program involving participants from diverse academic and pesantren (Islamic boarding school) backgrounds. This initiative aims to strengthen UINSSC’s internationalization efforts, particularly in equipping students with global language competencies. The program will be implemented through a collaborative model, starting with a dedicated international class, supported by pesantren-based educational institutions. One of the key partners that has fully committed to the program is Pesantren Gedongan, an institution known for its strong educational values and openness to global collaboration.
The International Office ensures that language learning within this program can begin promptly, allowing participants to bypass long administrative processes. This language training phase will serve as a foundation before students advance to other international programs, such as academic exchanges or vocational training. “This is not just about learning a foreign language, but about preparing students to genuinely engage in a global academic environment,” said Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Head of the International Office. With a ready-to-implement curriculum and a team of qualified instructors, the program is expected to run smoothly in the coming weeks.
The program will begin with one international class composed of selected participants based on academic potential and motivation to engage at the global level. Students in this class will undergo intensive language learning experiences, accompanied by cultural orientation sessions to foster intercultural competencies. The International Office emphasized that this pilot class will serve as a model for broader program expansion in the future. Feedback and evaluations from this initial group will be used as a basis for continuous program improvement.
Pesantren Gedongan has welcomed the initiative and expressed its readiness to support the program’s implementation. The pesantren is willing to provide facilities and community-based support for the participants, recognizing the importance of synergy between religious education and global openness. This collaboration reflects UINSSC’s commitment to bridging traditional Islamic education with a global academic framework. The combination of pesantren culture and international learning is seen as a unique strength of the program.
Nevertheless, an important question arises: can UINSSC facilitate the operational and logistical demands of such an ambitious program? The International Office is confident that the university is not only prepared but also strategically positioned to support the program’s development. From academic oversight to accommodation and student services, UINSSC has prepared an integrated plan involving multiple work units. Cross-departmental coordination is currently underway to ensure that all aspects of learning and participant well-being are well-managed.
The International Office will take the lead in coordinating the program, from the selection process and class design to monitoring and evaluation. As part of its mission, the office is also pursuing additional partnerships, both domestically and internationally. This includes potential collaborations with foreign universities for language certification and student exchange programs. “Our role is not only to send students abroad but also to bring international quality to our campus and surrounding communities,” added Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D.
Looking ahead, the program is projected to expand beyond the pilot phase, especially if the initial model proves successful in the first few months. The collaboration with Pesantren Gedongan could serve as a prototype for partnerships with other pesantren and Islamic institutions across Indonesia. The UINSSC International Office envisions a long-term roadmap in which traditional educational environments become active contributors to global academic networks. Starting from language education, the university is planting the seeds for a broader and more transformative journey of internationalization.
As the program begins, the International Office invites all stakeholders—faculty, students, and institutional partners—to support and take part in this innovative initiative. The integration of Islamic education with global engagement will not only bring significant benefits to the participants but also position UINSSC as a leading model of inclusive and forward-looking higher education in Indonesia.
Authors : Cindi Aulia, Wulan Putri Islami.