Voices of Excellence: UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon’s Esteemed Alumni Yusi Selmi, S.H., and Diah Ayu, S.Sos, Orchestrate the Grandeur of AsiaCALL International Conference 2025 as Masterful Emcees of the Largest Academic Gathering
Cirebon, 16 November 2025 — Under the visionary leadership of Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., not only as Director of the International Office but also as President of the AsiaCALL International Conference 2025, UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon has officially commenced one of the most prestigious academic events in the region. The AsiaCALL International Conference, held from 14–16 November 2025 and widely recognized as the largest international gathering of language educators and AI scholars across the country, is now unfolding with unparalleled elegance and intellectual rigor. At the heart of this momentous occasion stands a pair of distinguished hosts, Yusi Selmi, S.H., and Diah Whyat Ayuningsih, S.Sos., proud alumni of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon whose poised presence and articulate delivery have elevated every session into a masterclass of professional emceeing. From the opening moments of the Pre-Conference Workshop to the grand ceremonial proceedings, their voices have become the golden thread weaving together tradition, innovation, and global dialogue. “This conference is not just an event,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D. “It is living proof that our university has arrived on the world stage.”
The journey began on Day One with the Pre-Conference Workshop, where Sirniawati, S.Pd.I., M.A., from Universitas Muhammadiyah Cirebon and Wulan Rahmatunnisa, M.Pd., from Universitas Kuningan delivered insightful presentations on pedagogical transformation in digital learning environments. Welcomed with warmth and precision by Yusi and Diah, both speakers were introduced not merely as academics but as torchbearers of regional educational advancement. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation, mutual respect, and the quiet hum of shared purpose. Every transition, every acknowledgment, every pause was handled with grace, reflecting months of behind-the-scenes rehearsal and institutional pride. “Our alumni are no longer just graduates,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D. “They are ambassadors, leaders, and now, the very voice of our global identity.”
On Day Two, the main conference formally opened with a powerful plenary session featuring an extraordinary assembly of distinguished scholars from across the globe. Introduced with eloquence and reverence by Yusi Selmi, S.H., and Diah Ayu, S.Sos, the keynote speakers included Prof. Dr. Andrew Peter Lian, Ph.D., Professor of Foreign Language Studies at Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand, Assoc. Prof. Hassan Khosravi, Ph.D. from the University of Canberra, Australia, Prof. Shameem Rafik-Galea, Ph.D. from SEGi University, Malaysia, Prof. Ania Lian, Ph.D. from Charles Darwin University, Australia, Prof. Jeremy White, Ph.D. from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Vu Phi Ho from Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Made Hery Santosa, Ph.D. from Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Indonesia, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D from UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati, Cirebon, and Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D. from UIN Palangka Raya, Indonesia. Each introduction was crafted with care, honoring not just academic titles, but personal journeys and contributions to the field.
The presence of these luminaries transformed the conference into more than an academic forum; it became a summit of minds, a confluence of cultures, and a testament to the growing influence of Indonesian higher education in international discourse. Lala Bumela, Ph.D., who also joined the panel as a distinguished professor representing UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, addressed the audience with profound clarity: “We do not host conferences to be seen. We host them to listen, to learn, and to lead with humility.” His words resonated deeply, reminding all present that true excellence lies not in spectacle, but in substance, sincerity, and service to knowledge.
Evening fell, and with it came a moment of quiet brilliance: the Book Launch Night, a celebration of scholarly achievement and literary contribution within the field of language education and AI integration. Held under soft lighting and traditional mega mendung motifs fused with digital artistry, the event honored the publication of several groundbreaking works by participating scholars. Yusi and Diah guided the evening with poetic transitions, blending academic dignity with cultural warmth, ensuring that each author’s journey was acknowledged with heartfelt recognition. There were no loud fanfares, only the sound of turning pages, applause, and the shared joy of intellectual creation. “This night is not about glamour,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D. “It is about legacy. And every book launched here carries a piece of our collective future.”
As the AsiaCALL International Conference 2025 continues to unfold, the role of Yusi Selmi and Diah Whyat Ayuningsih extends far beyond protocol; they are storytellers, cultural bridges, and living embodiments of what it means to be a graduate of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon striving for “unggul mendunia.” Their performance reflects not just personal talent, but years of institutional nurturing, values-driven education, and national pride. “When I see our alumni standing on this stage, commanding the attention of professors from Tokyo to Canberra,” said Lala Bumela, Ph.D., “I know we are no longer aspiring to excellence. We are defining it.” With every word spoken, every speaker welcomed, and every idea celebrated, UINSSC affirms its place not just as a host but as a leader in the global academic community.
Author: Nurhusni Yusriyyah Yumna