Towards a Global Campus: Warm Responses from Former Presidential Adviser Aquino and the Filipino Community to the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellence Scholarship (Sn-GES) Program
IAIN Cirebon - Syekh Nurjati Global Excellence Scholarship (SN GES) program received warm responses from former Philippine Presidential Advisor Yasmin Busan. A high level of enthusiasm was evident during the info session hosted by the International Office of IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon on Thursday, March 21, 2024. During the event, the promotion of SN GES was a major highlight, particularly among the Filipino audience present, including Yasmin Busan and several professors representing various campuses in the Philippines, as well as prominent NGOs.
Several distinguished professors attended this info session as representatives from different campuses: Professor Darwin Apsari (College Secretary, Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines, Diliman); Prof. Abdulcader Ayo (Dean of King Faisal Center for Arabic and Asian Studies, Mindanao State University, Marawi City Main Campus); Prof. Abdel-Azeem Mohammad Siddique (Associate Dean, College of Asian and Islamic Studies, Western Mindanao State University); Prof. Jurma A. Tikmasan (College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi Campus); Prof. Anwar Radiamoda (King Faisal Center for Arabic and Asian Studies, Mindanao State University); Prof. Raima S. Dimaampao, Ph.D. (College of Public Affairs, Mindanao State University, Marawi City Main Campus/Al Mujaadila Women’s Association); Prof. Najifah P. Macaraya, JD. (Sociology Department and Institute of Peace and Development, Mindanao State University, General Santos City Campus); Jamil Faisal S. Adiong (Chairman, Ranao Youth Development Office (RYDO), Marawi City); and representatives from prominent NGOs including Badriyah S. Tahil (Founding President, Philippine Muslim Women’s Union); Janninah Reham S. Pumbaya (Generous Hearts for Others); and Raiza Tikmasan (Nisa Ul-Haqq Fi Bangsamoro).
Yasmin Busan, former Presidential Advisor to President Aquino and close friend of the Chairman of the LPPM (Research and Community Service Institution), responded positively and enthusiastically to the SN GES program. Her presence at the info session underscored the importance of this initiative in supporting higher education in the region. Support from figures like Yasmin Busan is significant in inspiring potential scholarship recipients to participate in this program.
The info session organized by the International Office of IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon has become a highly significant forum for promoting the SN GES, especially within the Filipino community. The presence of Yasmin Busan, professors, and NGO representatives from the Philippines added weight to the event, making it more relevant and beneficial for prospective scholarship recipients. Director of the International Office at IAIN Syekh Nurjati, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., emphasized that promoting the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellence Award (SN GES) represents a breakthrough in campus internationalization, as the institution transitions into UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon. The campus is open to establishing long-term partnerships with foreign campuses, particularly in the Philippines. The International Office Director hopes that invitees to the event will promptly promote the SN GES scholarship within their networks and identify the best candidates to apply for this international scholarship selection process. As is well known, starting this year, IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon offers scholarships for 20 international student candidates as one of the most important components in the internationalization project of IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon.
The event also provided a platform to explain in detail the benefits and requirements of the SN GES program to the audience. With direct interaction between organizers and prospective scholarship recipients, it is hoped that the information conveyed will be easily understood and inspire more people to participate in the program.
With warm responses and evident enthusiasm from Yasmin Busan and other attendees, the SN GES program is demonstrating its potential to support higher education in the region. The success of this info session marks a promising initial step in expanding the program's reach and attracting more high-quality scholarship applicants.