Malang, 10th October 2025, Lecturers from the English Education Department (Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris/PBI) of IAIN Manado participated in the English Language Teaching International Conference (ELITE Conference 2025) held at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang from October 6 to 8, 2025. The national academic event gathered English lecturers, researchers, and educators from various Islamic higher education institutions (PTKIN) across Indonesia to exchange ideas, present research findings, and enhance academic partnerships in English language teaching.

The delegation from IAIN Manado consisted of the Head of the English Education Study Program, the Secretary of the Program, and one lecturer from the department. Each presented their research papers on diverse topics related to contemporary English education. Their presentations reflected the department’s academic strength and commitment to advancing pedagogical innovation in English language education.

In addition to delivering research presentations, the Head of the English Education Study Program also took an important step in expanding academic collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with other English Education Departments from PTKINs across Indonesia. The MoU aims to foster joint research, lecturer and student exchange, curriculum benchmarking, and professional development initiatives under the umbrella of the ELITE Association. This collaboration is expected to strengthen the quality and competitiveness of English Education programs nationwide.

The lecturers also attended the ELITE Association Meeting, a strategic forum where program heads and lecturers from PTKINs discussed the future direction of English Education in Islamic universities. The discussions covered curriculum standardization, academic benchmarking, and the integration of global teaching trends with Islamic values in higher education.

According to the Head of the English Education Study Program, the ELITE Conference provided not only a platform for knowledge sharing but also a valuable opportunity to establish long-term partnerships. “Through this conference and the MoU signing, we are building stronger connections with other institutions. It’s a step toward collaborative growth that benefits our lecturers, students, and the future of English education within PTKIN,” she stated.

The three-day conference featured keynote addresses from national and international experts, paper presentations, workshops, and networking sessions. It also served as a meaningful space for educators to reflect on the challenges and innovations in teaching English in Islamic higher education, including digital transformation, cross-cultural communication, and outcome-based learning.

By engaging actively in the ELITE Conference 2025 and formalizing inter-institutional cooperation, the English Education Study Program of IAIN Manado reaffirmed its dedication to academic excellence, research collaboration, and continuous improvement in English language education. (FS)