Makassar strengthens position as global research hub through PAIR 2026

Makassar is strengthening its position as a global research hub by hosting the Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research (PAIR) Annual Meeting in 2026. The event aims to foster scientific collaboration and sustainable development between the two countries. According to Professor Jamaluddin Jompa, Rector of Hasanuddin University, the annual meeting will bring together academics, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from Indonesia and Australia to strengthen research synergies that directly impact public policy formulation and sustainable development. He noted that the cross-country collaboration serves as a strategic platform to address development challenges, ranging from climate change and food security to natural resource management and evidence-based governance. Jompa expressed hope that the research outcomes would not remain confined to academia but would be translated into effective policies benefiting the wider community. He added that Makassar, with its growing higher education ecosystem and research networks, is an ideal location to convene stakeholders from both nations. The forum, scheduled for 21-23 July 2026, will feature discussions on strengthening links between researchers, government, and society to ensure research addresses real-world needs. The Indonesia-Australia research partnership is also expected to generate innovations supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Beyond deepening academic ties, the annual meeting is seen as a momentum to expand research cooperation networks, enhance the capacity of young researchers, and encourage collaborative projects with tangible impacts on regional and national development. Jompa concluded that hosting the PAIR Annual Meeting reinforces Makassar’s image as a centre of science, innovation, and international collaboration in Indonesia.