MAKASSAR – The Directorate of Student Affairs of Hasanuddin University (Unhas), together with the Hasanuddin University Alumni Association (IKA Unhas), is opening opportunities for new students to develop businesses through an entrepreneurship grant and scholarship program. The program was introduced at an event held at the Prof. A. Amiruddin Auditorium, Unhas Tamalanrea Campus, on Wednesday (2 September 2026).
The briefing was attended by Prof. Dr. Amir Ilyas, S.H., M.H. (Vice Rector for Innovation and Business Management), Prof. Dr. Ir. Suhasman, S.Hut., M.Si., IPM. (Director of Student Affairs at Unhas), Prof. Ir. Muhammad Yusuf, S.Pt., Ph.D., IPU. (Director of Alumni Relations at Unhas), Muhammad Ramli Rahim, S.Si. (General Treasurer of the IKA Unhas Central Board), and Salahuddin Alam, S.S., M.Si (Executive Director of the IKA Unhas Central Board).
Prof. Amir Ilyas stated that Unhas is ready to support the entrepreneurship grant program by opening market access for the class of 2026 new students who already have a business. This support is expected to give them room to market their products while growing the businesses they have started.
“We are ready to support this program by opening market access for students through the Unhas Car Free Day every Sunday,” said Prof. Dr. Amir Ilyas, S.H., M.H.
Meanwhile, Prof. Suhasman stressed the importance of collaboration among students, the campus, and alumni in opening space for students to develop their potential from the very beginning of their studies. In Prof. Suhasman’s view, alumni support is an important part of providing opportunities for students in need while encouraging them to grow.
“Alumni reach those who need it most, namely new students. We thank the IKA Unhas board for their attention,” said Prof. Suhasman.
One of the programs introduced was the Unhas Entrepreneurship Academy 2026. The program is intended for new Unhas students of 2026 who want to build a business while in college, especially students who are orphans or have lost one parent and who have interest and potential in entrepreneurship.
Muhammad Ramli Rahim, S.Si. explained that in its initial stage the Unhas Entrepreneurship Academy 2026 provides a quota of 100 participants. Students interested in joining the program first register and prepare a business proposal containing the idea and plan for the business they will develop.
After preparing the proposal, participants choose a grant category in line with the needs and scale of the business they propose. There are three grant categories: Bronze, with a grant value below Rp5 million; Silver, from Rp5 million to Rp10 million; and Gold, from Rp10 million to Rp15 million. The type of business proposed is not restricted, so students can propose businesses according to their own interests, potential, and ideas.
The submitted proposals will then go through a selection stage. Participants who are selected will receive a grant according to the category they chose, and will also take part in a series of coaching and mentoring activities to develop their businesses.
In preparing proposals, students are given flexibility because they are not required to use a particular format. Participants can prepare proposals in their own formats as long as they can explain the business idea and plan they will carry out.
Support from the program is not limited to funding. Participants will also receive skills training, basic mentoring, business development, access to networks, market expansion, and reinforcement of innovation and technology.
Ramli also encouraged students not to wait until they finish their education if they want to start an enterprise.
“Don’t think you have to wait until graduation to start a business. I myself started working for myself in the fourth grade of elementary school. Through this program, we want to give students the opportunity to start a business while also receiving coaching and mentoring,” said Muhammad Ramli Rahim, S.Si.
This collaboration between the campus and alumni is expected to open more opportunities for new students, especially students who are orphans or have lost one parent, to develop their potential early, build independence, and start businesses while studying at Unhas.(*/rmd)
Editor : Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.