Virtual Presence, Real Impact: Prof. Rudolf Wirawan Introduces BIMA as a Strategic Model for Wisdom at CILEM International Seminar Meeting
Cirebon, July 7, 2025 — Under the leadership of Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office and Partnership at UIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC), a collaborative international seminar was successfully held in partnership with the Center of Islamic Law and Mubadalah (CILEM). The seminar, which marked an important moment in the intersection between global academic discourse and local intellectual development, welcomed Prof. Rudolf Wirawan from the University of Adelaide, Australia, as the keynote speaker. Though he attended virtually, Prof. Rudolf delivered a profound presentation introducing the BIMA Framework, a model that encapsulates the fusion of global intelligence, spiritual depth, and intercultural wisdom. The event was co-organized with the support of key International Office team members and trainees who contributed to its technical, conceptual, and logistic execution.
The BIMA Framework, initiated by Prof. Rudolf, is not merely an academic model—it is a philosophical and spiritual compass designed to respond to the rapidly changing dynamics of the 21st-century global landscape. During his opening address, Lala Bumela, Ph.D., emphasized the alignment of BIMA with UIN SSC's educational philosophy, particularly that of CILEM which embraces a circular epistemological paradigm. “This is not just a meeting of minds but of missions,” said Lala Bumela. “The BIMA Framework reflects the very DNA of what we at UIN SSC strive for—integrating faith, knowledge, and global sensitivity into a harmonious rhythm. Through this seminar, we are not merely exchanging theories, but cultivating wisdom.”
Building upon this alignment, Prof. Rudolf elaborated on the underlying pillars of the BIMA Framework, explaining its deep connection with mindfulness, sustainable action, and adaptive intelligence. In a striking declaration, he stated: “Wisdom is not achieved through accumulation of knowledge alone, but through the rhythmic harmonization of thought, emotion, and spiritual awareness. The BIMA Framework acts as a dynamic gateway for navigating complexity—not by resisting it, but by embracing it as the very fabric of existence.” His words resonated deeply with participants from various academic backgrounds, ranging from Islamic legal studies to educational sciences.
The seminar’s success also lay in its ability to bridge virtual presence with real-world impact. Despite being held online, the session maintained high levels of interactivity, with a thoughtful Q&A session and reflective discussion guided by the CILEM moderator team. Many participants noted that the session felt intimate and profound, suggesting that virtual knowledge-sharing can still carry emotional and intellectual depth. “Digital presence is not a barrier; it is an extension of the self,” added Lala Bumela, Ph.D., when reflecting on the format. “When ideas are deeply rooted in sincerity and truth, even a screen cannot contain their energy.”
In further discussion, Prof. Rudolf explained how BIMA emerged as a response to global fragmentation. He proposed that universities in the Global South, like UIN SSC, play a crucial role in leading the charge toward balanced global knowledge ecosystems. “The South has wisdom to offer,” he affirmed. “It is not a site of deficit, but of depth. Through CILEM and IO’s strategic partnerships, we are witnessing a reorientation of global dialogue, with Indonesian Islamic academia taking center stage in shaping postcolonial epistemologies.”
The International Office and CILEM seminar concluded with shared commitments to continue intellectual collaborations, deepen transnational research, and uphold wisdom-based education. As emphasized in the final remarks by Lala Bumela, Ph.D., “This is just the beginning. Today we planted the seeds of BIMA not only as a framework, but as a living, breathing intellectual ecosystem. UIN SSC stands ready to be a home for such transformative models—where knowledge meets soul, and education becomes illumination.”
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir