Beyond a Profession Education Lives as a Discipline of Knowledge and Social Change
Beyond a Profession Education Lives as a Discipline of Knowledge and Social Change
Insof Waeji
As a student who studied in Indonesia for seven years, from bachelor's to master's level, I feel this is an extraordinary award. I am truly grateful to Allah SWT for being given the opportunity to gain knowledge in the land of the Republic of Indonesia, especially to be part of the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII). This campus is relatively new, and I was fortunate to be part of the third batch at the Faculty of Education. Despite its young age, UIII offers progressive learning innovations as well as a rigorous and focused education system.
For me, continuing my studies in the field of education is a dream I have been dreaming of for a long time. Education here is not only understood as limited to printing teachers of subjects. More than that, I found that educational science covers various important aspects on a large scale from policy, literacy, well-being, assessment, evaluation, technology, leadership, equity, society, to educational philosophy. People often ask me, "Then what kind of teacher will you be after you graduated? English teacher, right?" That question sometimes makes me smile, because the answer is not that simple. The knowledge of education that I learned is not only about teaching in the classroom, but also about the contribution that can be made to the education sector in general, even touching the realm of political and economic policy. Explaining it is sometimes quite complicated, but that is exactly where the wealth of this discipline lies.
Education at UIII is also the main field for me to try to become a researcher, participating in conferences, and get involved in various projects that contribute to the field of education. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to interact and learn directly from academics, researchers, and inspiring lecturers, who are not only enriched my vision but also shaped my critical thinking and professionalism. In addition, the various tasks given by lecturers are varied, ranging from individual work to group projects, from academic essays to scientific articles. All of that has indirectly sharpened my writing skills and analytical skills. The process requires patience, creativity, and the ability to work together, so I feel that this academic journey shapes my character and way of thinking.
More than that, the experience of learning in class is enjoyable and challenging. Each subject is like a piece of a puzzle that slowly merges into a big picture of the world of education. Class discussions teach us to think critically, especially because the friends come from various countries with diverse experiences and educational contexts. As a student from Southern Thailand a region with a complex, unique political system that has direct implications for education, I learned a lot to compare best practices from other countries while reflecting on the challenges in my home country. Looking back on this seven-year journey, I realize that my time in RI and at UIII has been more than just obtaining knowledge, it has been process of growth, self-discovery, and building a vision for the kind of contribution I hope to make in the education field. As I move forward, I carry with me the invaluable experiences of collaboration, research, and intercultural engagement that have shaped me into the educator I aspire to become.
Guest Lecture: Moving Knowledge to Improve Policy and Practice
On Monday, 27 October 2025, Nisa Felicia Faridz, PhD from PSPK (Pusat Studi Pendidikan dan Kebijakan), Jakarta, provided guest lecture entitle, "Moving Knowledge to Improve Policy and Practice" in Educational Policy Analysis class, an MA course.
Public Lecture: Artificial Intelligence in Education: Are We Outsourcing Our Brains and the New Paradigm of Information Behaviour
What happens when artificial intelligence becomes part of how we learn?
Join Dr. Milan Regec from Comenius University in Bratislava in a public lecture discussing “Artificial Intelligence in Education: Are We Outsourcing Our Brains and the New Paradigm of Information Behaviour.”
🗓 Date: 23 October 2025
🕤 Time: 09.30 AM
📍 Venue: Theatre, Faculty A Building, UIII
This lecture is open to the public.
Lunch Talk #46: Learning Through Playing: Games as Pathways to Collaboration and Social Change
You are invited to join the Lunch Talk #46 at the Faculty of Education, UIII
Taufik Ikhsan Slamet, PhD (Scholar in Residence (SIR) at the Faculty of Education UIII and Lecturer at Universitas Negeri Malang) will share about: "Learning Through Playing: Games as Pathways to Collaboration and Social Change".
Games can make learning memorable and bring complex social issues to life. In this session, the speaker shares his experiences using gamification to enhance collaborative learning and engagement, then explores how game-based learning can help students understand sustainability challenges. By blending play with critical inquiry, games create opportunities for empathy, problem-solving, and deeper connections to real-world issues. This talk highlights how playful approaches can humanize education and inspire learners to see themselves as active agents of change.
Day/Date: Tuesday/October 21, 2025
Time: 13.00-14.30 (Jakarta Time)
Place: Theater, Faculty A Building
Online participation:
https://bit.ly/LunchTalkEdu46
E-Certificate is provided
Thank you!
Recorded on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snb2st6nHSE
Beyond Summary: Writing Reflection and Critical Review
Hello!
Writing Clinic 1
"Beyond Summary: Writing Reflection and Critical Review"
Writing critical review and reflection are often more challenging. Striking the right balance between personal voice and academic tone can also be tricky.
Join upcoming Writing Clinic to learn more.
📅 Date: October 13, 2025
🕒 Time: 13:00
🏛 Location: Classroom 13, Faculty A
👩🏻💼 Presenter:
Wiwin Windiana (Ph.D Student Batch 2)
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your writing!
Drop your reflection or crtical review here:
https://tinyurl.com/WritingClinic1
Meet the Guardians of Wellbeing at UIII: Introducing the Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS)
Meet the Guardians of Wellbeing at UIII: Introducing the Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS)
September 23, 2025
Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Achmad Jatnika
The journey of postgraduate study is often spoken of in bright terms—academic achievements, inspiring intellectual discussions, and promising futures. Yet beneath that surface, the lived reality can be far tougher. Endless assignments, the pull of family responsibilities, financial pressures, and the loneliness of being away from home can leave students quietly overwhelmed.
However, here at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), we care about you, your mental health, and your overall wellbeing. Closing this year’s Orientation Week (O-Week) on Friday, September 19, 2025, two faculty members from the Faculty of Education—Dr. Lukman Nul Hakim and Assoc. Prof. Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti—addressed new students on an often-unspoken yet critical issue: mental health and counseling.
The session specifically introduced UIII’s Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS), a division under the university that provides psychological services. This unit is designed as a safe and inclusive space that respects diversity in culture, gender, and individual backgrounds. The service is open to all members of the academic community—students, faculty, and staff.
“Our approach is promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative,” said Dr. Lukman, the Chair of CMHS. “We run mental health campaigns, psychoeducation sessions, and screenings; provide individual and group counseling; and connect students to external services when needed.”
The counseling services are located at the Faculty of Education in the Faculty A compound (first and third floors). They are available during working hours, and students, staff, and faculty members can access them by booking an appointment through the CMHS application. “Seeking help is an act of courage, not a sign of weakness. So never hesitate to reach out to us—we are here to support you,” Dr. Lukman said.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Charyna emphasized what these services mean in the day-to-day reality of student life. “We know that postgraduate study is hard, but it is not meant to break you,” she said. “The pressure of assignments, the personal struggles, even the loneliness—they can feel overwhelming. But these challenges are also opportunities to discover your strength and resilience. What matters most is that you don’t go through them alone, because here at UIII, we care about your wellbeing.”
She added that that well-being is not about avoiding challenges, but about how we respond to them. “When you can maintain your well-being, all those challenges can be accepted and understood as part of your life. You may feel sad, but you don’t stay in sadness; you may feel despair, but you still keep moving forward. If you are in that state, it means you are flourishing. You don’t only survive, but you thrive—growing, enjoying the process, and living with meaning.”
At UIII, we believe that academic success and personal well-being go hand in hand. By providing accessible counseling services, supportive programs, and a community that truly listens, we strive to ensure that no student walks this journey alone. Because here, your mental health matters just as much as your academic achievement.
