The Japanese government awarded a Service Star in the category of “The Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays With Neck Ribbon” to Prof. dr. A. Husni Tanra, Ph.D., Sp.An., a professor of the Universitas Hasanuddin of Faculty of Medicine. The Service Star was given a major role in increasing academic exchanges and friendly relations Japan-Indonesia.
The Service Star was handed over by the Head of the Japanese Consular Office in Makassar, Miyakawa Katsutoshi, in the awarding ceremony, which took place in the Hall of Prof. Amiruddin under the Covid-19 health protocol at 10.00 WITA. This event was also broadcasted virtually through the zoom meeting application on Thursday (18/03).
The Service Star of “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” has been existing since the Meiji era, awarded to both Japanese and international parties with outstanding contributions to Japan in their respective fields. This service star is awarded twice a year, the spring and autumn season.
Miyakawa Katsutoshi explained that the active contributions of Prof. Husni Tanra in increasing academy exchanges and friendly relations between Japan and Indonesia. Prof. Husni Tanra had the opportunity to represent Unhas at the International University Exchange Seminar held by the Association of International Education Japan (AIEJ) in 1974.
He met the Chancellor of Hiroshima University, Iijima Souichi, who was also a Doctor of Medicine. Souchi invited Husni Tanra as the only medical student who attended the seminar to continue his education at Hiroshima University.
“This is the starting point of Mr. Husni Tanra’s relationship with Japan. With the various contributions he made, the Japanese government decided to award him a Service Star. Formally, this service star was awarded on November 3, 2020, the autumn season in Japan,” explained Miyakawa.
In his speech, Prof. Husni Tanra thanked the Japanese government for the award. It was something he had never thought of or expected. In the 1970s, many Indonesian students continued their education in America and Europe. However, Prof. Husni saw Japan’s uniqueness and decided to continue his education in anaesthesia in Hiroshima. On this campus, Prof. Husni was recorded as the first Indonesian doctor to study and obtain a PhD in Medicine in Japan.
After returning from Japan, Prof. Husni became a bridge of information about Japan. Thus, many students are then interested to continue their education in Japan. For Unhas itself, there are approximately 270 students, 50 of whom are from medicine studying in Japan.
“It was God’s destiny for me to be in Japan, and I believed it was the right choice, not only studying and learning Japanese language culture, but also understanding the uniqueness of Japanese people in terms of many aspects, such as honesty, politeness, and mutual help” explained Prof. Husni.
Prof. Husni’s contribution in improving friendly relations between Japan and Indonesia was also seen when he was elected as the Chairman of the Association of Japanese Alumni from South Sulawesi (PERSADA SULSEL) in 1987-2000. He was actively engaged in introducing Japanese culture on various occasions and providing opportunities for members to improve their Japanese language skills.
Prof. Husni Tanra also maintains a relationship with the Association of Japanese Citizens (Nihonjinkai) South Sulawesi and often advises Japanese people studying or serving in Indonesia. PERSADA members, which initially numbered around a dozen people during his tenure, increased to more than 100 people.
The accomplishment achieved by Prof. Husni was also appreciated by the Rector of Unhas, Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, MA. She explained that this achievement was also a matter of pride for Unhas, which not all people could accept the award. Prof. Husni deserved to receive this award for his various active accomplishment.
When he served as the Director of Graduate Program during 1998-2002, Prof. Husni opened the way for Unhas to gain recognition from various international party and broaden the collaboration network, especially in Japan.
“Personally, I see in him a resilient and persistent figure when he has set one goal. This award is perfect for him, and he is truly a legend,” said Prof. Dwia.
Curriculum Vitae
Prof. dr. A. Husni Tanra, Ph.D., Sp.An., was born in Sengkang, January 29, 1943.
- Educational History
– In 1975, he earned a doctoral degree from the Universitas Hasanuddin of Faculty of Medicine
– In 1981, he earned a PhD in Anesthesia from the Hiroshima University, School of Medicine
– In 1982, the adaptation of a specialist in the Anesthesiology Section of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga
- Employment History
– 1982 – 2008 Head of the Anesthesiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Hasanuddin
– 1998 – 2002 Director of the Unhas Postgraduate Program
– 2000 – 2013 Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Hasanuddin
– 2011 – 2014 Director of Ibnu Sina Hospital Makassar
– 2014 – 2019 Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Hasanuddin
- Organizational Experience
– Chairman of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) Indonesia since 1992.
– Vice President of AMDA International, Chair of the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) of the Hiroshima Commissariat, Japan, Vice President of Hiroshima University Foreign Students Association (HUSFA), and Chair of the Alumni Association of Japan (PERSADA).
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
