Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) participated as the sole representative from Indonesia at the 6th University Presidents for Peace Conference, hosted by Hiroshima University at the Higashi-Senda Campus in Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 2026. The international summit convened 53 distinguished delegates representing 17 higher education institutions across 11 countries and regions. The forum served as a strategic platform for academic leaders to reinforce higher education’s contribution to global peacebuilding, sustainable development, and cross-border cooperation.
Representing UNHAS at the forum was the Vice Rector for Partnerships, Internationalization, and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Ir. Suharman Hamzah, S.T., M.T., Ph.D. (Eng.). UNHAS’s participation underscored its growing global footprint and active role in international academic agendas focused on peace, diplomacy, and global sustainability. A main milestone of the conference was the unanimous adoption of the University Presidents for Peace Declaration, delivered by Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University. The declaration pledges a collective commitment among participating universities to build peaceful and sustainable societies through education, joint research, international student mobility, and youth talent development.
The 2026 conference carried profound historical significance, held in conjunction with the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. This historical context reinforced the essential responsibility of academic institutions to preserve historical memory, promote cross-cultural understanding, and empower future leaders to resolve conflicts through dialogue, empathy, and international collaboration.
This initiative directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By advocating for global conflict resolution, academic diplomacy, and peaceful societies, the conference advances SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The collaborative global education framework supports SDG 4: Quality Education, while the intercontinental alliance among 17 universities embodies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Through its active representation at this global forum, UNHAS reinforces its commitment to global engagement and institutional leadership, ensuring that Indonesian higher education contributes meaningfully to global peace and sustainable development.
