Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), through the Faculty of Public Health, strengthened their international academic collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, through a joint learning activity on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Held at the Faculty of Public Health, UNHAS, the session brought together students and academics to explore sustainability, interdisciplinary approaches, and community-based solutions to environmental challenges in informal settlements.
The activity was part of a joint class between UNHAS and NTU, designed to encourage knowledge exchange and multidisciplinary perspectives on sustainability. The session featured the Revitalising Informal Settlements and Their Environments (RISE) Program, with Ansariadi, Indonesia Leader and Chief Investigator of the program, presenting its approaches and contributions to sustainable community development.
During the presentation, Ansariadi introduced the RISE Program’s application of water-sensitive and nature-based solutions in informal settlements in Makassar, Indonesia, and Suva, Fiji. He highlighted how integrated environmental infrastructure can address challenges related to water management, sanitation, and community health while emphasizing the importance of collaboration among researchers, government institutions, and local communities.
Participants also learned about infrastructure developed through the RISE Program, including drainage and access systems, newly constructed and renovated bathrooms, pressure sewer systems, and rainwater tanks. Following the presentation, they visited the RISE laboratory to observe sample collection and testing procedures before continuing to a community site to examine the practical implementation of the program’s solutions. These activities provided firsthand insights into how scientific research can be translated into community-based environmental improvements.
The joint learning experience provided opportunities for students and academics from different disciplines to exchange perspectives on environmental health, water and sanitation, community participation, and sustainable development. Through this collaboration, the Faculty of Public Health at UNHAS continues to strengthen international academic partnerships while connecting global research perspectives with local challenges and encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable community development.