As the final part of the series of events marking its 64th Dies Natalis (anniversary), Hasanuddin University (Unhas) held community service activities in collaboration with the Wajo Regency Government. The activities were also an expression of the university’s social responsibility as a higher education institution and of its commitment to making a real contribution to society.
The opening ceremony took place at 09:00 WITA (Central Indonesia Time) in the Ruang Pola hall of the Wajo Regent’s Office, with COVID-19 health protocols in place, on Saturday (24 October).
Opening the event, the chair of the organizing committee for the Unhas 64th Dies Natalis, Dr. Aminuddin Syam, SKM, M.Kes., M.Med.Ed., explained that the Unhas Dies Natalis series had begun in July with a range of activities that were, of course, adapted to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are grateful that, despite the pandemic, various activities have gone well, such as an international occupational safety event, a webinar on K3 (occupational health and safety) best practices, an epidemiology seminar, a journal writing workshop, an international nutrition webinar and others,” Aminuddin explained.
This community service program consisted of two activities: a scientific exhibition and 16 integrated community service activities by researchers from the Unhas Institute for Research and Community Service (LP2M).
Wajo Regent Dr. H. Amran Mahmud, S.Sos., M.Si., expressed delight at the support Unhas has given to Wajo Regency. The community service activities are expected to produce recommendations to help develop the potential of Wajo Regency.
“Alhamdulillah, Unhas has responded to our request to hold community service and research programs. We need these activities as preparation for planning and building Wajo Regency through a range of measurable programs supported by optimal human and natural resource potential,” Amran explained.
Amran expressed hope that the various potential assets of Wajo Regency could be managed to the fullest with the support of, and in collaboration with, Unhas, particularly in the silk sector, which has potential from upstream to downstream, in order to restore the glory of South Sulawesi weaving.
Representing the Governor of South Sulawesi, the head of the Health Office’s Region IV Branch delivered written remarks. As a humaniversity, Unhas is a campus that balances humanity and knowledge. Community service is part of the humaniversity concept in encouraging the expansion of networks and helping to address regional problems.
Choosing Wajo Regency as the location for the community service was the right move, given that the area has rich regional resources and potential, as well as commodities in the agriculture, plantation and tourism sectors that need to be developed.
The community service activities were officially opened by the Rector of Unhas, Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, MA. In the address, Prof. Dwia thanked the Wajo Regency Government for its willingness to hold the activities together with Unhas.
The community service held to mark the Dies Natalis is an effort by Unhas to fulfill its social responsibility. As a university in Eastern Indonesia, Unhas, as a communiversity, has always been at the forefront in pushing forward and pulling along the carriages of civilization and economic prosperity.
Prof. Dwia added that over the past two years, Unhas has been undergoing a transformation toward a broader direction. This is demonstrated by its commitment as a humaniversity campus that contributes to humanity.
“Wajo Regency was chosen as the venue for the activities not only because of the Regent’s request at last year’s Unhas Dies Natalis event in Bone, but also because Wajo has ties to the history and progress of Unhas. Two of Wajo’s finest sons have led Unhas,” Prof. Dwia explained.
The event closed with the signing of a cooperation agreement (PKS), a follow-up to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Unhas and the Wajo Regency Government in 2019. The agreement signed by the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Dentistry with the Wajo Regency Health Office concerns reducing stunting and dental caries and implementing healthy markets. As scheduled, the activities will continue until tomorrow, Sunday (24 October).(*/mir)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.