2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Prof. Morten P. Meldal visited Hasanuddin University to give a public lecture. Prof. Meldal, who is also Head of the Center for Evolutionary Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, was the keynote speaker at the “Nobel Laureate Lecture at Hasanuddin University.”
The public lecture, held on Thursday, 29 January 2026, was attended by nearly two thousand participants. They came from various universities across Indonesia, the Unhas academic community, senior high school students, and the general public.
The moderator was Dr. Hasnawati Saleh, who is also Research Coordinator of the Australia – Indonesia Center (AIC @Unhas Lab) / Director of the Indonesia Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR) Program.
The event was organized by Hasanuddin University in cooperation with The International Peace Foundation (IPF). The public lecture was also supported by the Directorate of Science and Technology Talent Development, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia.
In the lecture, Prof. Morten discussed the theme “Chemistry for a Sustainable World: Everything Is Chemistry and How That Influences Our Choices.”
Prof. Meldal stressed that almost every aspect of life is inseparable from chemistry, and that understanding chemistry plays an important role in shaping people’s choices toward a more sustainable world.
Prof. Meldal also invited participants to see science as a source of insight and innovation, and conveyed the message that what we write and research reflects how we view the world, not merely a collection of theories.
According to Prof. Meldal, what a scientist writes and researches reflects the perspective and values held in viewing the world and the problems around them.
Prof. Meldal also stressed the importance of freedom of thought and action in research. Prof. Meldal said that research is born of a free mind and free action, driven by passion and strong curiosity.
“From this curiosity, new knowledge develops, opens space for innovation, and ultimately makes a real contribution to the advancement of science and the welfare of society,” said Prof. Meldal.
The event proceeded with enthusiasm, marked by an interactive question-and-answer session between Prof. Morten P. Meldal and participants who actively asked questions. (*/dhs)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.