Embracing the Future of AI-Based Language Education: UIN SSC Officially Partners with AsiaCALL for the 2025 International Conference
Cirebon, February 5, 2025 — Siber Syekh Nurjati Islamic University Cirebon (UIN SSC) will host the 22nd AsiaCALL International Conference (AsiaCALL 2025) on November 14, 15 and 16, 2025. The event will take place at the UIN SSC campus, located at Jl. Perjuangan, Sunyaragi, Kesambi sub-district, Cirebon city, West Java, Indonesia. With the theme “AI in Language Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions,” this international conference aims to discuss opportunities and challenges in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in language education as well as the direction of its development in the future. As a cyber-based university, UIN SSC continues to be committed to becoming a center of academic innovation that is relevant to global developments.
As part of this event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in a hybrid format (online and offline). This MoU is a strategic step in strengthening international cooperation between UIN SSC and AsiaCALL, as well as a tangible manifestation of commitment in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education and technology. The event was streamed live through the Zoom platform and UIN SSC's official International Office and Partnership (IOP) YouTube channel https://youtube.com/live/zMXgt_05XcY?feature=share, IOP Diary. This move marks the transformation of UIN SSC in expanding its academic reach to the global level as well as ensuring that digital innovation becomes an integral part of the education system.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding was attended by the President of AsiaCALL, Professor Andrew Lian (Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand/Ho Ci Minh Open University, Vietnam/The University of Canberra, Australia); Chief Executives of AsiaCALL, Ania Lian, Ph.D. (Charles Darwin University, Australia), Associate Professor Pham Vu Phi Ho (Van Lang University, Vietnam); and Professor Jeremy White (Ristumeikan University, Japan). From UIN SSC, Professor Dr. H. Jamali, M.Ag. (Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs) and Dr. H. Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, M.Si. (Head of the Quality Assurance Agency), Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. (Head of the Center for International Office and Partnership) who became the committee in this great event, as well as Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D. (Head of the IAIN Palangkaraya Research and Community Service Institute). The presence of academics from various countries confirms that UIN SSC is increasingly strengthening its position as an internationally competitive higher education institution.
In his speech, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., emphasized that this MoU is not just a formal discussion, but a real step in strengthening international academic networks. “This MoU is not just a cooperation agreement, but a real effort in building sustainable relationships and collaborations. This is an important step in accelerating academic dialog and strengthening global academic connections. With this cooperation, we are getting closer to creating a more inclusive, innovative, and technology-oriented academic environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr. H. Jamali, M.Ag., expressed his hope that this collaboration can produce innovative solutions in facing the challenges of language education in the AI era. “I hope that through this collaboration, we can develop various innovative solutions to overcome challenges in language education in the AI era. More than that, this MoU is also expected to be a gateway to wider cooperation, both in academic aspects and the direct application of AI technology in improving the quality of global education,” he said. UIN SSC emphasized its commitment to continuously increase engagement in international academic forums to ensure that any innovations generated can be applied on a wider scale.
Chairman of UIN SSC's Quality Assurance Agency (LPM), Dr. H. Ayus Ahmad Yusuf, M.Si., emphasized that this MoU also plays a role in improving academic quality standards in the digital era. “This collaboration is not only about technology, but also about ensuring that our academic quality standards evolve along with digital transformation. With this collaboration, we hope to create a learning system that is more adaptive, research-based, and in line with global needs,” he said.
At the same time, Professor Andrew Lian highlighted the importance of Neuroscience-based adaptive technology in the transformation of language education. “This is a special agreement that focuses on strengthening technology and language learning. AsiaCALL has been running for more than 23 years in the face of various changes and challenges, and this partnership is a golden momentum to help UIN SSC transform as a world-class research-based university,” he said.
Professor Ania Lian, Ph.D., added that this collaboration brings new innovation networks, especially in understanding the role of AI intellectually. “AI should be used with human literacy in mind, used intelligently, and linked to human intelligence. Technical understanding must always be strengthened for AI to truly provide benefits in education,” she emphasized.
Luqman Baehaqi, Ph.D. (Head of IAIN Palangkaraya's Research and Community Service Institute) said that this collaboration is a step forward in strengthening research and academic innovation in the digital era. “This collaboration opens up great opportunities for interdisciplinary research and the application of technology in learning. With this collaboration, we hope to create an academic ecosystem that is more adaptive and responsive to global technological developments,” he said.
With the signing of this MoU, UIN SSC further strengthens its position as a cyber university that not only relies on technology as a tool, but also as part of the transformation of education towards a more advanced digital era. This collaboration is a concrete step in supporting the vision of campus globalization and making UIN SSC a center of technology-based academic excellence. Through this conference, UIN SSC and AsiaCALL prove that digital innovation and international cooperation are key in creating a more inclusive and sustainable education system.
