Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) has established an international collaboration with the Fukuoka Institute of Technology (FIT), Japan, covering the Tri Dharma of higher education, including efforts to address flooding in Makassar.
In addition to flood-related issues, the collaboration also focuses on strengthening research capacity, academic mobility, and cross-border knowledge exchange. Rector of UNHAS, Prof. Dr. Jamaluddin Jompa (JJ), stated in Makassar on Monday that this partnership is part of the university’s ongoing internationalisation strategy.
He emphasised that UNHAS remains open to expanding global partnerships to enhance the quality of education and research. The university’s various achievements reflect its commitment to continuous development and to increasing its contribution and impact on society. “Collaboration with FIT has the potential to grow further in the future, including through innovative research-based education programs. One opportunity that can be explored is a research-based double degree program,” said Prof. JJ.
Furthermore, Prof. JJ highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration with industry as part of developing a higher education ecosystem that is adaptive to global needs. This partnership is expected to open opportunities for engagement with industries in both Japan and Indonesia.
On the same occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Socio-Environmental Studies at FIT, Prof. Yang-Joong Yun, stated that Indonesia is a strategic partner for Japan, particularly in strengthening higher education cooperation. The strong diplomatic relations between the two countries serve as an important foundation for sustainable academic collaboration. Prof. Yang-Joong Yun expressed hope that this partnership would facilitate the exchange of knowledge, technological innovation, and academic experience beneficial to both institutions.
Under the scope of the agreement, both universities have agreed to develop various collaborative programs. These include undergraduate and postgraduate student exchanges, exchange of lecturers, researchers, and academic staff, as well as joint research initiatives focusing on strategic environmental issues—particularly flood mitigation in Makassar—as an academic contribution to supporting sustainable urban development solutions.