Unhas Rector: Universities must be part of the nation's solutions

Innovation born from universities must be able to address societal needs and provide tangible impacts on life. Makassar (ANTARA) - The Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), Prof Dr Jamaluddin Jompa (JJ), stated that higher education institutions must become part of the solution to the nation’s problems through innovations that benefit society. Prof JJ, in his statement in Makassar on Friday, said that the mandate of higher education to enlighten the nation’s life must now be interpreted more broadly. Higher education, Prof Jamaluddin Jompa said in his speech at the graduation ceremony for the May 2026 period in Makassar, is no longer sufficient to merely produce outstanding graduates in the classroom, but must also be able to generate real solutions to various societal problems, he said. As part of this commitment, Unhas continues to strengthen innovation and research commercialisation so that the results of scientific development can directly impact national development. He explained that Unhas has developed various innovations, from the development of superior corn seeds, the Alope chicken variety, to modern closed-house livestock management which is part of strengthening the university’s agro-complex sector. “Higher education must become part of the nation’s solution. Innovation born from the campus must be able to answer societal needs and provide tangible impacts on life,” said Prof Jamaluddin Jompa. The Rector, in that moment, also reminded that academic degrees and diplomas are not the final goal, but rather instruments for leading a more meaningful life. He invited the graduates to continue maintaining integrity, having the courage to self-evaluate, and not stopping learning in the midst of an increasingly competitive and dynamic work world.