In a virtual gathering that blended cultural tradition with academic ambition, UIN Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi and GLA University in India launched their first collaborative initiative: a joint webinar exploring the role of English in global research partnerships.
The event, held via Zoom, brought together faculty and students from both institutions. From Jambi, participants included Dr. Dion Ginanto, coordinator of PLKI-LPPM; Dr. Edi Rozal, head of the English Education program; and Dr. Rosalinda, head of English Literature. Representing GLA University was Dr. Nutan Kumari, Associate Director of International Affairs.
Dr. Kumari underscored the importance of English as a “key to unlocking global research collaboration,” while also highlighting cultural commonalities between Indonesia and India. Among her proposals was a distinctive idea: alternating recitations of the Ramayana by students from both countries. The epic, which exists in parallel traditions across South and Southeast Asia, would serve as a symbolic bridge between the two cultures.
“I am delighted with this collaboration,” Dr. Kumari said. “Dr. Dion Ginanto and I have been in communication for more than a month, and I am pleased we were able to make this event happen. I hope this marks the beginning of many more productive activities.”
Dr. Ginanto echoed the sentiment, noting India’s rise as an emerging economic power. “We are proud of this collaboration,” he said. “India is projected to become one of the strongest economies in the world. We must learn from India, and this webinar is our first step.”
Moderated by Auliya Handayani, a seventh-semester student of English Education at UIN Jambi, the session unfolded with presentations on shared challenges and opportunities for cooperation. Beyond cultural exchange, the partnership aims to open doors to joint research, student mobility, and enhanced English-language learning.
For both universities, the Ramayana project represents more than a literary exercise. It is a gesture of mutual recognition — a way of weaving together two academic communities through a story that has traveled across centuries and borders.