Hasanuddin University (Unhas) and PSM Makassar have officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as an initial step in strengthening collaboration between academia and the professional sports industry. The signing took place at the Arsjad Rasjid Lecture Theater on Thursday (12 February 2026), and was attended by about 250 participants from the Unhas academic community at an event themed “The Pride of Sulsel.”
The Unhas Rector was represented by the Director of Student Affairs, Abdullah Sanusi, Ph.D., at the signing. The occasion was also accompanied by the presentation of an official PSM Makassar jersey to the Unhas Rector as a symbol of the partnership and the commitment of both institutions to collaborate.
Abdullah Sanusi stressed that this cooperation is a strategic step in strengthening the campus’s role in supporting the professional sports industry.
“With an Unhas academic community of around 50 thousand people, this collaboration is a strategic step to bring about real synergy between the campus and the professional sports industry. We hope this cooperation opens internship opportunities that we will convert into credits (SKS), and gives rise to sustainable programs that benefit students and the community,” Abdullah Sanusi said.
The collaboration also includes cross-faculty internship opportunities. Students of the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Medicine could be involved in developing sports medicine, while students of the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences can take roles in management, communication, and sports industry management.
In addition, Abdullah Sanusi also presented an initiative to take Unhas students to Parepare to watch PSM matches in an organized way. The scheme is designed as a special student ticket in the form of a bundled package of transport and match ticket at an affordable price, planned to be sold through the Unhas Student Cooperative and open to the academic community.
PSM Makassar Operations Director, Rafiuddin Razak, S.E., said that PSM Makassar is a professional sports institution that grows together with the community. PSM is not only about achievement, but also about making an impact on regional development.
“Today we see as a strategic step for academia and professional sports industry practice. This is a form of two-way partnership oriented toward real impact,” Rafiuddin Razak said.
Rafiuddin Razak added that, under the theme “The Pride of Sulsel,” PSM was raised by the community and carries the name of the region onto the national and international stage. Rafiuddin hopes this collaboration will be the beginning of sustainable programs, including internships and sports entrepreneurship initiatives.
“Thank you to Unhas for the spirit of collaboration and to everyone who has accompanied us. We hope this cooperation continues to grow and provides wide benefits,” Rafiuddin Razak concluded.
The event was also accompanied by a talk show session featuring PSM Makassar Team Manager Muh. Nur Fajrin, S.H., PSM Makassar Team Captain Capt. Yuran Fernandes, PSM Makassar goalkeeper nicknamed “The Flying Horse” (“Si Kuda Terbang”) Hilmansyah, and Corporate Communication of Honda Astra Motor South Sulawesi, Benedicta Caroline.
In the session, the speakers shared experiences about the dynamics of a professional team, closeness with supporters, and opportunities for collaboration with the world of education. Yuran Fernandes spoke of the emotional closeness felt with supporters and gratitude for being able to play for the club with such strong support.
Meanwhile, Hilmansyah expressed pride in playing for one of the oldest clubs in Indonesia and viewed criticism from supporters, including on social media, as a form of constructive support.
The participants’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the event. Students actively asked questions in the talk show session and voiced their support directly to PSM Makassar’s management and players. The MoU signing is expected to be a strong foundation for long-term synergy between Unhas and PSM in creating collaboration with broad impact for students and the community.(*/kmhs/fjr)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.