CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The Rector of Hasanuddin University (Unhas), Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) of the Philippines. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Higher Education Partnerships Conference (HEPCON) 2026 in Cebu, Philippines.
On this occasion, Prof. JJ signed two MoUs at once, each on behalf of Unhas and Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) in Manado.
The MoU was signed together with the Rector of NVSU, Wilfredo A. Dumale, Jr., Ph.D., as a foundation for developing academic cooperation between NVSU and Unhas and Unsrat. The agreement covers education, research collaboration, and the exchange of lecturers and experts.
Cooperation in education opens room for Unhas, Unsrat, and NVSU to develop various joint academic activities. Relations between the institutions can also be developed through the exchange of experience and knowledge involving the academic communities of the three universities.
In research, the cooperation is aimed at bringing together the expertise of researchers and academics from Indonesia, particularly Unhas and Unsrat, with the Philippines. The collaboration can be developed as joint research in line with each institution’s fields of science and potential for cooperation.
Meanwhile, the exchange of lecturers and experts gives academics room to take part in teaching, academic discussions, and scholarly development at the partner institution. This scheme also opens opportunities for the academic community to gain experience in a different higher education environment.
Prof. JJ views the cooperation as part of expanding Indonesia’s academic network in Southeast Asia. Relations between institutions need to be directed toward activities that bring together the academic, research, and human resource capacities of each university.
“We hope this cooperation will not stop at the signing of the MoU, but will be translated into educational programs, joint research, and academic exchanges that benefit the academic community,” said Prof. JJ.
For Unhas and Unsrat, cooperation with NVSU broadens their academic network in Southeast Asia. The partnership adds room for interaction with universities in the Philippines that can be developed into cross-border education and research activities.
The MoU signing took place on the sidelines of HEPCON 2026, a forum that brings together representatives of Indonesian universities with universities and higher education partners from various countries. The meeting is a space for universities to identify cooperation opportunities and build academic relationships directly.
What makes this signing unique is Prof. JJ’s role in bringing two Indonesian state universities into a single cooperation agenda with NVSU. The step widens the chances of forming an academic network that can connect the academic communities of Unhas and Unsrat with higher education partners in the Philippines.
Through this MoU, Unhas and Unsrat, together with NVSU, have a foundation for developing more concrete cooperation, from educational activities and collaborative research to the mobility of lecturers and experts. (*/dhs)
Editor : Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.