The Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Science of Unhas, invited a guest lecturer, Guanmian Xu, from Leiden University, Netherland. He carried out a topic on “The Order of Sea Cucumber Chinese Gustatory Revolution and Eastern Indonesian Archipelago.” This public lecture took place in the Senate Room, Faculty of Cultural Science, on Thursday (04/02).
Guanmian Xu, who is a doctoral candidate, presented that Sea Cucumber became a popular commodity after the glory of spices in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Sea Cucumber trade network still continues until now. This can be seen by the sustainability of Sea Cucumber as a salable commodity thast is predominantly managed by Chinese traders. The trade pattern is still exclusive and closed. Some types of Sea Cucumbers, such as Koro and Nenas Sea Cucumber, have a pretty high price.
“Sea Cucumber has many benefits. That is why this commodity is so popular. Through Sea Cucumber trade, Indonesia and China can build a relationship,” said Xu.
A lecturer of the History Department of Unhas, Andi Lili Evita S.S., M.Hum, explained that the topic described an interesting historical perspective, which lifted up the enthusiasm of the participants. “our students were asking so many questions related to our topic,” said Andi Lili.
The objective of this public lecturer on the globalization history of the eastern Indonesian trade is to build a research network for lecturers and students. Moreover, this activity is also an actualization of the excellent maritime-based vision of the History Department in Southeast Asia.
Andi Lili hoped this activity could continuously be carried out and supported by the university leaders. Public lectures with foreign guests surely will be beneficial for department development, especially sharing knowledge between lecturers and students across the country.
“We hope, lecturers and students of the History Department can easily access the academic opportunity in other countries, have a strong connection in the field of Historical Research. Therefore, Universitas Hasanuddin, especially the Department of History, can be recognized broadly and accepted at the International level,” said Andi Lili.
The Department of History of Unhas currently prepares for the coming AUN QA assessment in 2020.(*)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
Head of sub-directorate of Public Relation and Information
Directorate of Communication Hasanuddin University
Translator: Kumara Tungga Dewa
Translation Editor: Karmila Mokoginta
