Depok, September 10, 2026 — Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), in collaboration with the Depok City Government, officially kicked off the next chapter of its community engagement initiative, UIII Mengajar, at SMPI Al-Attasiyah, Depok.

The kick-off brought together UIII student volunteers, students and teachers from SMPI Al-Attasiyah, representatives of the Depok City Government, and representatives of schools that will serve as host schools for the UIII Mengajar program in Depok. The initiative provides opportunities for UIII students to contribute to local communities through educational and community-based activities, while creating meaningful spaces for students to learn, interact, and broaden their perspectives.

At the kick-off session, students participated in interactive English learning activities facilitated by UIII student volunteers. The activities were designed to encourage active participation, communication, and confidence in using English, creating a learning environment that goes beyond conventional classroom instruction.

Bringing Global Perspectives into the Classroom

The program also introduced an international dimension through the participation of three UIII international students as volunteers: Grace Olbrycht Palmer from Australia, Baston Edgar Kondowe from Malawi, and Waseem Ahmad Nadaf from India.

Their participation gave students the opportunity to interact directly with international university students while practicing English and learning about different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Through these interactions, students were able to experience English not only as an academic subject, but also as a practical tool for communication and connection.

Rather than positioning education as a one-way exchange, UIII Mengajar encourages mutual learning. UIII students share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives, while also learning from the communities they engage with.

Reflecting on the role of language and international exposure in preparing young people for an increasingly interconnected world, Muhammad Yazid, Head of the Office for Student Affairs and International Services at UIII, said that Language is one of the gateways to broadening our students’ horizons. As the world becomes increasingly connected and borders between countries grow closer, opportunities for young people to engage with the international community are greater than ever.

“We should encourage them to dream beyond boundaries—to become a generation of Indonesian leaders who not only excel nationally, but also have the confidence and capacity to compete, contribute, and make a meaningful impact on the global stage,” he said.

Strengthening Collaboration with Depok Schools

The kick-off also marked an important step in the ongoing collaboration between UIII and the Depok City Government to strengthen community-based educational initiatives.

The event was attended by Fathir Fajar Sidiq, Head of the Research and Regional Innovation Division (Bapperida) Depok; Syafrudin, Head of Section at the Depok City Education Office; as well as principals and teachers from the Rintisan Sekolah Swasta Gratis (RSSG) schools that will serve as host schools for UIII Mengajar in Depok.

The participating host schools are SMP Al 20 Mei Raudlatusadaah, MTs Al Muhlasin, and MTs Muawatul Islamiyah. Their involvement marks the beginning of a broader school-based implementation of UIII Mengajar, with each school providing a learning environment where UIII student volunteers can engage directly with students through educational and community-based activities.

The collaboration between UIII, the Depok City Government, and the participating RSSG schools reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to meaningful educational experiences. Through the program, UIII students will have the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and experiences, while students in participating schools can benefit from new learning experiences and broader perspectives.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Throughout the session, students demonstrated enthusiasm through active participation and lively interaction with the volunteers. For the UIII students, the experience provided an opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences while engaging directly with the local community.

The presence of international student volunteers further enriched the experience by allowing students to encounter different cultures and perspectives within their own learning environment. These interactions encouraged students to develop not only their language skills, but also confidence, curiosity, and openness toward a wider world.

The kick-off at SMPI Al-Attasiyah marks the beginning of the next chapter of UIII Mengajar in Depok. With SMPI Al-Attasiyah and the participating RSSG schools as host schools, the program will continue through educational, motivational, and community-based activities involving UIII student volunteers.

Through UIII Mengajar, UIII continues to strengthen its commitment to meaningful community engagement—creating opportunities for students to teach, inspire, connect, and make an impact, while inspiring young people to look beyond the classroom and beyond borders.