MAKASSAR – Entering university brings major changes to how students learn. The demands to study more independently, understand the academic system, maintain integrity, and manage one’s responsibilities as a student are part of an adjustment process that needs to be prepared for from the start.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) responded to this transition phase through the 2026 Campus Life Orientation for New Students (PKKMB). The event was attended by 10,401 new students as an initial step in getting to know the academic environment, university culture, and the various responsibilities that come with student life.
Themed “Growing with Innovation, Moving with Synergy, Making an Impact for the Nation,” the PKKMB was aimed at building students’ readiness for the educational process while instilling the values of integrity, innovation, collaboration, and responsibility.
Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Muhammad Ruslin, drg., M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp.B.M.Mf., Subsp.Ortognat.D., explained that the 10,401 new students were admitted through three selection pathways: national merit-based admission (SNBP), national test-based admission (SNBT), and independent admission (Mandiri).
A total of 3,309 students were admitted through SNBP, 5,273 through SNBT, and 1,819 through the Mandiri pathway.
“For the Mandiri pathway, although we are authorized to admit up to 50 percent, Unhas admits only 17.49 percent. We run this admission process independently, with a selection mechanism designed to attract high-quality prospective students,” Prof. Ruslin explained.
Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., reminded the new students that getting into Unhas is not the end goal. According to Prof. JJ, students’ success has to be built through consistent study, discipline, responsibility, and compliance with academic rules. Integrity is an important part of that process.
Prof. JJ also encouraged the new students to build self-confidence and the courage to compete from the start of their studies.
“You have fought to get into Unhas. Do not stop halfway. Finish your education well. Let no one drop out over academic problems, and do not commit academic violations. Keep your integrity from the start,” Prof. JJ urged.
Prof. JJ also said that the tradition of achievement built by Unhas students is proof that a campus in the Eastern Indonesia region has the capacity to produce students able to compete from the national to the global level.
“The tradition of champions on this campus is here to erase the feeling of inferiority among students from the regions. It is proof that the capacity of students outside Java is equal, that we are able to lead on the national stage and are ready to compete at the world level,” Prof. JJ continued.
On the same occasion, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Diktisaintek) Prof. Brian Yuliarto, Ph.D., stressed the importance of students having the courage to step forward, adapt, and transform amid rapidly changing times. Universities are expected to serve as spaces where students develop their capacity while producing real impact for themselves and their surroundings.
“Students must dare to step forward, be able to transform quickly and adaptively, and produce real impact. That process begins at PKKMB, as the initial moment of getting to know university life and adapting to the academic environment,” Prof. Brian explained.
The PKKMB series is part of students’ adaptation process, through various activities that provide preparation before they enter the educational process fully. This preparation is aimed at helping students understand the role of higher education and take part in carrying out the Tridharma of Higher Education.
In a message delivered by video, Prof. Brian Yuliarto stressed that the higher education process needs to shape students who have both scientific competence and the ability to adapt to change. These values serve as provision for contributing through science and involvement in community life.
The university-level PKKMB at Hasanuddin University divided the students into two sessions, morning and afternoon. The event took place at the JK Arenatorium at the Unhas Sports Hall (GOR) on Tuesday (11 August). It was attended by new students in the undergraduate and applied undergraduate programs.
Meanwhile, new graduate students will take part in their PKKMB on Thursday (13 August), centered at Baruga AP Pettarani at Unhas.
The distribution of new Undergraduate and Applied Undergraduate students at Unhas in 2026, by faculty, is as follows:
1. Economics and Business: 868
2. Law: 628
3. Medicine: 610
4. Engineering: 1,634
5. Social and Political Sciences: 801
6. Cultural Sciences: 994
7. Agriculture: 658
8. Mathematics and Natural Sciences: 694
9. Animal Science: 427
10. Dentistry: 251
11. Public Health: 494
12. Marine Science and Fisheries: 549
13. Forestry: 474
14. Pharmacy: 188
15. Nursing: 288
16. Agricultural Technology: 320
17. Vocational Studies: 523
(*/mir)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.