A Gathering for Stronger Bonds and a Unified Vision of Student Union
It was a fine afternoon where representatives of student associations at UIII came together to unify their vision for a stronger and more cohesive student community. Hosted by the Office of Student Affairs and International Services, the event took place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the nearby Lembur Kuring Restaurant in Cimanggis, Depok, West Java.
Representatives from the International Student Association (ISA), Islamic Studies Student Association (ISSA), Association of Social Science Students (ASSIST), Ecobiz Student Association (ESA), and Education Student Association (ESTUDIA) engaged in meaningful discussions about fostering a united and inclusive student body under the newly established ‘UIII Student Union’.Earlier this month, UIII students embraced democracy by participating in the university’s first-ever Student Union election. Conducted with fairness and transparency, the election concluded with Wildan Rofi’i from Indonesia and Asheke Alaihi from Bangladesh being elected as the inaugural President and Vice President of the UIII Student Union.
M. Yazid, Lc, Head of the Office of Student Affairs and International Services, explained that the gathering aimed as a structured discussion on how to best organize and empower student associations to create a student union that could effectively represent UIII’s diverse and growing student population.
In the gathering, ideas were exchanged with energy and mutual respect, reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines the university. Conversations flowed easily, blending laughter and serious deliberation, as student representatives found common ground in their shared commitment to enhancing student life at UIII.
The outcomes of the gathering reflected a multifaceted approach to improving the student experience at UIII. Proposals included initiatives to prioritize student well-being through activities like sports and entertainment, the importance of engaging in community services to address pressing contemporary issues such as climate change, education reform, economic challenges, political awareness, and the advancement of Islamic studies, as well as the potential collaboration with external student associations.
Through the shared discussions, the gathering became more than just a meeting—it was a moment of connection and renewal. Each representative brought their unique perspectives and experiences, yet they all left with a shared vision: to strengthen the bonds among student associations and create a union capable of elevating the student experience at UIII.
