The Master’s Program in English Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah Science and Teacher Training (FITK), Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara (UINSU), successfully conducted the Graduate Academic Forum on Monday, 18 May 2026, through an online Zoom meeting platform. Carrying the theme “Road to Overseas: Implementing the Sense of Knowledge Seeking,” the event aimed to inspire students to broaden their academic perspectives and pursue international educational opportunities.
The forum featured Dr. Wildani Hefni, MA., Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at UIN KHAS Jember, as the keynote speaker. Known as an awardee of the Australian National University Research Overseas Scholarship, Dr. Wildani shared valuable insights regarding overseas academic experiences, scholarship preparation, and the importance of cultivating a lifelong spirit of learning.
The event began with an opening session hosted by the committee, welcoming all participants and introducing the objectives of the forum. The session created a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere as students and lecturers joined the virtual meeting from various locations.
The program then continued with a speech delivered by the Head of the Master’s Program in English Education, Mr. Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, Ph.D. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of expanding academic horizons and encouraging students to actively seek global learning opportunities. He also expressed his appreciation to the speaker and participants for contributing to the success of the academic forum.
Following the opening remarks, the main presentation session was delivered by Dr. Wildani Hefni, MA. During his presentation, he explained that pursuing education abroad is not only about academic achievement, but also about developing intercultural understanding, research skills, and personal resilience. He shared practical strategies for preparing scholarship applications, strengthening academic portfolios, improving English proficiency, and maintaining consistency throughout the academic journey.
The discussion and question-and-answer session became one of the most engaging parts of the event. Participants actively raised questions related to scholarship opportunities, overseas study preparation, academic networking, and challenges faced while studying abroad. The speaker responded thoughtfully by sharing both motivational insights and real experiences from his academic journey.
As a form of appreciation, the committee continued the event with the delivering certificate of appreciation session to the speaker for his valuable contribution and inspiring presentation during the Graduate Academic Forum.
The event then proceeded with a documentation session, where all participants, committees, and the speaker took virtual group photos to commemorate the successful implementation of the forum.
Finally, the Graduate Academic Forum officially concluded with a closing session. The committee expressed gratitude to the speaker, participants, and all parties who supported the event. The forum ended with the hope that the knowledge and inspiration shared during the program would encourage students to confidently pursue greater academic opportunities at the international level.
Through this activity, the Master’s Program in English Education UINSU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting globally oriented academic development and creating meaningful learning experiences for students in facing future global challenges.