MAKASSAR – Amid the emotion and pride of the June 2026 Graduation of Hasanuddin University (Unhas), seven international students stood side by side with thousands of fellow graduates. Coming from different cultural, linguistic, and national backgrounds, they had traveled thousands of kilometers to complete their higher education at Unhas.
Their academic journeys reflect the growing openness of cross-border learning at Unhas. The university is not only a place of study for students from across Indonesia, but also an educational destination for young people from around the world who want to develop their academic capacity and broaden their global perspective.
The seven international students who took part in the June 2026 graduation procession came from several countries, namely Afghanistan, Madagascar, Jordan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Gambia. They studied in the following study programs:
– Shahabuddin Esmati – Afghanistan: Public Administration Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP)
– Hangivola Emyblonde Ratna – Madagascar: Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP)
– Bashar Sultan Abdallah Almadi – Jordan: Dentistry Study Program, Faculty of Dentistry (FKG)
– Ali Hussein Saeed – Iraq: Dentistry Study Program, Faculty of Dentistry (FKG)
– Rahaf Omar Mustafa Almatarneh – Jordan: Medical Education Study Program, Faculty of Medicine (FK)
– Kanchul Louis Mendy – Gambia: Law Study Program, Faculty of Law (FH)
– Nusrat Din – Pakistan: Mechanical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering (FT)
This diversity of home countries and fields of study illustrates the strengthening internationalization of Unhas. The graduation of these international students is also a moment to strengthen Unhas’s standing on the indicators of a world-class university.
The Head of the Unhas International Office (KUI), Andi Masyitha Irwan, S.Kep., Ns., Ph.D., explained that the ratio of international students is one of the indicators counted in various global university ranking systems.
“Unhas is committed to continuing to increase the number of international students, both in degree and non-degree programs. Every additional international student is an important part of what we report in various international ranking processes,” Masyita explained.
In addition, the presence of international students opens up interaction on campus that enriches the academic experience of students and lecturers through the exchange of perspectives, cultures, and approaches to solving global problems.
“One strategy we continue to strengthen is expanding the promotion of study opportunities at Unhas through our network of international colleagues. This is done by introducing the various scholarship schemes available to international students who wish to continue their education at Unhas,” Masyita explained.
Unhas is also actively developing a range of student exchange programs. In addition to the International Cultural Program (ICP), held every year, a number of exchange programs have been built with partner universities in various countries. Faculties at Unhas are also increasingly active in designing international mobility programs that involve a wide range of disciplines.
This internationalization strategy is reinforced through active participation in international education fairs, the development of global academic cooperation, and services that assist international students from the visa process through to adapting to campus life.
“We want to provide a study experience that is comfortable and accessible. The positive impressions students gain during their time at Unhas are often the best promotion for prospective students in their home countries,” Masyitha added.
Unhas’s international student body is currently dominated by students from Africa and the Middle East. Going forward, Unhas aims to increase the diversity of students’ home countries, including expanding its reach to Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
“We want to bring the world to Unhas. That is why we are encouraging not only a larger number of international students, but also greater diversity of home countries and a stronger profile for Unhas’s distinctive strengths among the global community,” Masyita added.
Unhas currently has 635 international students from various countries, consisting of 444 students in degree programs and 191 students in non-degree programs.
The June 2026 Graduation, attended by 2,189 graduates, was held in two sessions at Baruga AP. Pettarani, Unhas Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar. The first session took place on Monday (22 June) and the second on Tuesday (23 June). (*/mir)
Editor : Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.