EduAsiaNews, Bulukumba – Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) is showcasing 50 community engagement programs in Bulukumba Regency through the Unhas Community Engagement Program (PPMU) Exhibition/Expo.
The programs cover various fields, including agriculture, fisheries, marine affairs, education, healthcare, and human resource development. The event serves as a platform to introduce Unhas research findings, technologies, and expertise that can be applied to support the development of the region’s potential.
Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., said the expo is part of efforts to realize the concept of an impactful university by encouraging higher education institutions to become directly involved in regional development.
“This is a pilot project demonstrating how regional functions can be developed based on each area’s respective potential. We have tremendous potential and numerous opportunities for downstreaming,” said Prof. JJ while opening the expo.
According to Prof. JJ, Bulukumba has significant potential to develop a local resource-based economy, particularly through the marine, fisheries, and agricultural sectors. The region has considerable potential for the development of agroindustry.
Prof. JJ also called for the village development programs carried out by Unhas in Bulukumba to be sustainable. Support from the local government is needed to ensure that assistance to villages continues beyond the completion of community engagement programs.
“We hope the government will provide its support. Together with Unhas, we will continue to develop these initiatives, not only for this particular occasion, but on an ongoing basis,” said Prof. JJ.
In addition to community engagement programs, Unhas is also planning to expand higher education opportunities in Bulukumba through the potential development of a multicampus model and research-based postgraduate programs tailored to the region’s needs.
“All of these initiatives are research-based. We also have plans for a multicampus and postgraduate programs in Bulukumba,” said Prof. JJ.
Bulukumba Regent Andi Muchtar Ali Yusuf welcomed the collaboration and expressed his appreciation for Unhas’s contributions in providing studies to support the development of various sectors in the region.
“We appreciate Unhas’s role in providing studies to support the development of various sectors,” said Andi Muchtar.
Andi Muchtar said regional development should be directed toward strengthening the community’s economy. In his view, increased economic activity would enhance the region’s capacity to support other sectors, including education and healthcare.
The Bulukumba Regency Government also encourages the productive utilization of land through the development of various economically valuable crops and commodities. The agricultural, livestock, fisheries, and marine sectors are considered to have significant opportunities for further development through collaboration with Unhas.
He added that improving the quality of human resources must go hand in hand with regional economic development. Therefore, the Bulukumba Regency Government is opening opportunities for collaboration with Unhas in various fields, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries, marine affairs, education, and healthcare.
The 50 programs showcased at the PPMU Expo demonstrate the breadth of expertise available at Unhas that can be integrated with the efforts of government and communities. The programs are expected to go beyond community engagement activities and be further developed, replicated, and directed toward downstreaming in accordance with regional needs and potential.
