The Rector of Hasanuddin University (Unhas), Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., attended the Australia Alumni Gala Dinner Makassar, held together with the 10th anniversary of the Australian Consulate General in Makassar. The event took place at The Rinra Hotel on Saturday (24 December).
The event was a strategic moment to strengthen ties among Australian alumni in Indonesia, especially in South Sulawesi, and to reinforce cooperation between Australia and Indonesia in various fields, including education, research, and professional network development.
The Australian Consul General in Makassar, Todd Dias, said in the remarks that the Australia Alumni Gala Dinner is not only a celebration but also a collaborative space that brings together Australian alumni from various backgrounds. According to Dias, the event also serves as a platform to introduce cooperation potential and business development initiated by Australian alumni.
“The relationship between Australia and the people of Makassar has been established for a long time and built on strong friendship. This historical closeness is an important foundation for strengthening bilateral relations, especially in the eastern Indonesia region,” Dias said.
The Rector of Hasanuddin University, Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., said that Hasanuddin University is strongly committed to continuing to be an inclusive home for international partners, including the Australian academic and alumni community.
“Cooperation between Unhas and various institutions in Australia has made a significant contribution to human resource development, improved academic capacity, and strengthened international research networks,” Prof. JJ said.
The Chair of the Australian Alumni Association (IKAMA) of South Sulawesi also said that the experience of studying in Australia has a major influence on shaping alumni’s character, competence, and career paths. According to Prof. JJ, education in Australia has been an important foundation for alumni’s professional development to this day.
“Ten years of the Australian Consulate General’s presence in Makassar reflects the Consulate General’s active role in supporting various administrative needs and strengthening relations between Australian alumni and various stakeholders in South Sulawesi,” Prof. JJ said.
Through this event, it is hoped that the partnership between Indonesia and Australia, especially in higher education, can continue to be strengthened and developed sustainably in the future. (*/aya)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.