SELAYAR — Hasanuddin University (Unhas) is strengthening its contribution to community development through an integrated Community Service Program in the Selayar Islands Regency. In 2026, of the 103 community service activities carried out by Unhas, 42, or about 41 percent, are taking place in Selayar Islands Regency, with total budget support of Rp660 million.
This commitment was reinforced through the Unhas Community Service Exhibition/Expo (PPMU) held at the Hall of the Selayar Islands Regent’s Office on Tuesday (1 September). The event showcased various products resulting from community development and mentoring through Unhas’s community service programs.
The expo was opened by the Vice Regent of the Selayar Islands, Drs. H. Muhtar, M.M., representing the Regent. In the remarks, Muhtar expressed appreciation to Unhas for choosing Selayar as the location of the expo.
“This activity has strategic value in introducing and promoting the various potentials of Selayar’s local products,” said Muhtar.
Muhtar hoped that collaboration between Unhas and the Selayar Regional Government will continue to be strengthened so that community service programs can align with the regional development needs set out in the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD).
“We greatly appreciate Unhas for continuing to pay attention to Selayar. We hope this collaboration can be increased so that Unhas’s programs can further support the region’s development agenda,” explained Muhtar.
Deputy Chair for Community Service at the Unhas Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Prof. Ir. Muhammad Arsyad, SP., M.Si., Ph.D., representing the Rector, explained that the expo is part of Unhas’s efforts to align the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education with the needs of communities, regional governments, and the business and industrial sector (DUDI). Community service activities are directed at identifying local potential that has opportunities to be developed sustainably, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprise (UMKM) products based on local resources.
“Developing local products should not stop at using raw materials. Mentoring is needed to strengthen community capacity, so that regional potential can grow into a sustainable business and industrial sector, and open space for developing local products with higher economic value,” said Prof. Arsyad.
The sustainability of community enterprises is expected to have a ripple effect on increased income, environmental improvement, and regional economic growth. Economic activity that grows from strengthening community enterprises is also expected to contribute to increased regional revenue.
Unhas’s contribution in Selayar is also directed at strengthening human resource capacity. This role is carried out through training, outreach, political and legal education, and other capacity-building activities involving various faculties, including the Unhas Vocational School based in Selayar.
“Unhas plans for a number of potential villages to be developed as Partner Villages through a multiyear scheme. We hope this approach will allow the impact of mentoring to be measured more clearly over time,” said Prof. Arsyad.
The Unhas Community Service Exhibition/Expo in Selayar is part of the series of events for Unhas’s 70th Dies Natalis. Earlier, on Monday (31 August), Unhas held a similar event, presenting 50 community service programs in Bulukumba Regency.
These programs cover agriculture, fisheries and marine affairs, education, health, and human resource development. The exhibition serves as a space to introduce Unhas’s research, technology, and expertise that can be applied according to regional needs and potential.(*/asy/mir)
Editor : Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.