Medan, Indonesia, August 12, 2025 – As part of the ongoing implementation of its newly established international academic partnerships, the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FITK) at Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara welcomed Dr. K.J. Vargheese, a distinguished scholar from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India, as an International Visiting Professor. The program, held on August 12, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM WIB in the FITK Auditorium, centered on the theme “Enhancing Research Capability for Educators in a Globalized World.”
The session brought together faculty members, postgraduate students, and researchers from across FITK, many of whom filled the auditorium with palpable enthusiasm. This academic engagement is one of the first tangible outcomes of FITK’s newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with Christ College, designed to foster cross-border academic collaboration and professional development for educators.
During the session, Muhammad Dalimunthe, representing the FITK leadership, emphasized the importance of enhancing academic quality through initiatives such as visiting lectures, research collaborations, and student exchanges. He noted that this moment was highly valuable, as it provided an opportunity to gain insights from the keynote speaker on advancing education, conducting impactful research, and fostering meaningful collaborations. In his welcoming remarks, he expressed his delight in hosting the event and officially declared it open with the phrase “Bismillah.”
Dr. K.J. Vargheese is a senior faculty member at Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, with decades of experience in English literature, postcolonial studies, and comparative cultural analysis. He holds advanced degrees in English from premier Indian universities and has authored numerous research articles, book chapters, and edited volumes focusing on literary criticism, cultural identity, and education in multicultural contexts. Known for his engaging lectures and commitment to research excellence, Dr. Vargheese has mentored countless postgraduate students and actively participated in international academic forums.
His presence at FITK UINSU marks a significant step in bridging scholarly communities across South and Southeast Asia.
In his lecture, Dr. Vargheese explored the urgent need for educators to strengthen their research capabilities in an increasingly interconnected academic world. He began by highlighting the evolving role of educators, not only as transmitters of knowledge but as active contributors to the global body of scholarship.
Dr. Vargheese opened his presentation with the thought-provoking phrase “publish or perish,” underscoring the critical role of research in academia. He explained why research matters globally, highlighting its role in informing teaching practices, facilitating global knowledge exchange, and addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, digital literacy, and inclusion. He also outlined essential skills for global research engagement, including digital literacy for accessing global databases and research software; intercultural competence to navigate cultural nuances; strong data analysis skills across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods; and language proficiency for publishing in English and adapting work for multilingual audiences.
MoU Implementation: International Visiting Professor Session with Dr. K. J. Vargheese from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India
To strengthen research capabilities, Dr. Vargheese proposed several strategies, including participating in professional development workshops, joining international collaboration networks such as ResearchGate and UNESCO, utilizing open-access resources, and conducting classroom action research. He also stressed the importance of leveraging technology through virtual conferences, collaborative tools like Miro, Trello, and Microsoft Teams, and online platforms such as Coursera and EdX for research skill development.
Addressing common challenges, he identified solutions for limited journal access through open-access platforms and institutional repositories, overcoming time constraints by integrating action research into teaching, and mitigating language barriers through targeted skill-building. He concluded by affirming that research serves as a bridge between local classrooms and the global knowledge pool, and that by upgrading skills, embracing technology, and engaging in international collaboration, educators can drive meaningful and far-reaching change.
“Research is no longer confined to local or national contexts,” Dr. Vargheese remarked. “In today’s world, your audience and collaborators are global. The more you open yourself to different cultural and intellectual traditions, the richer your scholarship becomes.”
The event was moderated by Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, Ph.D., Head of the Master’s Program in English Education (MTBI) at FITK UINSU, who also served as one of the discussion speakers. Dr. Maslathif emphasized that the Visiting Professor program was designed not just as a lecture series, but as a platform for meaningful academic exchange.
“We want our faculty and students to learn directly from global scholars, to challenge themselves with new research paradigms, and to see how their work can contribute to international academic discourse,” Dr. Maslathif said. “Dr. Vargheese’s session today is a powerful example of how these exchanges can inspire and equip our academic community.”
Throughout the session, participants engaged in Q&A discussions on topics ranging from research ethics and publication strategies to funding opportunities and building sustainable international collaborations. Many attendees noted how Dr. Vargheese’s practical advice was immediately applicable to their own academic journeys.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Vargheese expressed his admiration for the engagement shown by FITK’s academic community.
“I am deeply impressed by the intellectual curiosity and commitment I see here. These qualities are the foundation for building a strong research culture, one that can have a voice and influence far beyond national borders.”
Dr. Vargheese said
He also expressed optimism about future collaborations between Christ College and UINSU, noting that joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and student internships could be among the next steps in this partnership.
The event drew a diverse audience, including lecturers, postgraduate students, and researchers from various departments within FITK. The lively participation and follow-up conversations after the formal session reflected a strong appetite for continued engagement with global academic figures.
“This is more than just a lecture, it’s a spark that we hope will ignite ongoing dialogue, cooperation, and innovation in our research community,”
Dr. Maslathif concluded.
With this International Visiting Professor program, FITK UINSU has taken another concrete step in positioning itself as a hub for global academic collaboration, ensuring that its educators are not only well-versed in their disciplines but also equipped to thrive in an interconnected scholarly landscape.
