MAKASSAR — Hasanuddin University (Unhas) conferred the Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr. HC) degree on Timor-Leste Prime Minister H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao at an Open Academic Senate Session at Baruga A.P. Pettarani, Unhas Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar, on Saturday (5 September).
The honorary degree was based on an academic assessment of Xanana’s life journey, leadership, and contributions to Timor-Leste, the region, and humanity. Unhas considers Xanana’s journey to embody universal values of courage, steadfastness, reconciliation, peace, democracy, and humanity.
The conferral’s promoter, Prof. Hafid Abbas, M.Sc., explained that there were four main reasons behind awarding the Doctor Honoris Causa to Xanana.
1. A symbol of the struggle that gave birth to a nation
Xanana is regarded as one of the key figures in the struggle for the birth of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Xanana’s journey spanned a long course, from the struggle on the field of resistance to diplomacy. This position places Xanana in an important part of Timor-Leste’s history. Xanana led the people through a difficult period in the struggle for independence.
“Xanana was not only a witness to the birth of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, but one of its chief architects. Xanana led the people through the most difficult times in the struggle for independence, from the field of resistance to the halls of diplomacy,” explained Prof. Hafid.
2. Turning the wounds of conflict into a bridge of reconciliation
The second consideration relates to Xanana’s ability to build reconciliation after the Indonesia–Timor-Leste conflict. Xanana did not direct a history full of wounds into a source of hatred between generations. Together with Indonesian and Timor-Leste leaders, Xanana helped open space for a new relationship grounded in respect and friendship.
For Prof. Hafid, that choice carries important meaning in the history of peace. The journey from the field of struggle to reconciliation presents its own challenges. A fighter is called upon to nurture relationships, rebuild trust, and open space for peace after conflict.
“Not every fighter is able to emerge as a peacemaker. Yet Xanana chose the harder path: forgiving without forgetting, remembering without passing on hatred. Xanana teaches the world that the greatest victory is not defeating an opponent, but winning a shared future,” Prof. Hafid added.
3. Transformation from fighter to statesman
The third reason can be seen in Xanana’s role after Timor-Leste gained independence. The struggle shifted from the field of conflict to nation building. Prof. Hafid said Xanana was involved in building institutions, strengthening democracy, national development, and advancing Timor-Leste’s interests through legal and diplomatic channels.
That journey demonstrates leadership capacity in facing the post-conflict phase. Independence requires strong institutions, a functioning democracy, and policies that can bring hope and dignity to the people.
4. Leaving a legacy of peace and humanitarian values
The fourth consideration relates to the values Xanana represents. Courage, steadfastness, reconciliation, peace, democracy, and humanity are considered to be in line with the values Unhas upholds.
“Unhas honors the values a person represents. In Xanana, we find courage combined with humility, a struggle that ended in reconciliation, and leadership grounded in humanity,” explained Prof. Hafid.
These four considerations show that the Doctor Honoris Causa degree was awarded through an assessment of the track record, contributions, leadership, and humanitarian values inherent in Xanana’s journey.
Science Diplomacy
For Unhas, this conferral has broader strategic meaning. The honorary degree opens room to strengthen academic relations with Timor-Leste through education, research, knowledge exchange, student mobility, and alumni networks.
Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc. placed the conferral in the context of strengthening relations between the two nations through academic channels.
“This conferral has strategic meaning for Unhas. We want to strengthen relations between Indonesia and Timor-Leste through education, research, and academic networks. Science can open wider room for cooperation for the generations of both countries. This is a model of science diplomacy,” explained Prof. JJ.
Unhas sees that science can open new forms of encounter. Students, academics, researchers, and alumni can fill this space of relations through education, research, and the exchange of ideas.
The conferral of the Doctor Honoris Causa on Xanana carries two meanings. The degree gives academic honor for the journey of a figure, and at the same time the occasion strengthens Unhas’s academic diplomacy with Timor-Leste. (*/mir)
Editor : Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.