Supporting Students from Low-Income Families in Achieving Success in Higher Education

To realize its commitment to poverty alleviation, Hasanuddin University (Unhas) provides comprehensive support to students from low-income families, ensuring that financial limitations do not hinder their pursuit of higher education. One of the university’s main initiatives is providing decent and affordable housing through the “RAMSIS” Student Dormitory, designed specifically to accommodate students from underprivileged backgrounds. The affordable rate, when compared to commercial off-campus housing, makes the dormitory an excellent and cost-effective option for students. In addition, the Dormitory in Gowa Campus (RAMTEK) also offers similar facilities that can be considered for the students from low-income families.

Unhas also plays an active role in improving dormitory management to meet students’ functional and technical needs. This division oversees maintenance, facility enhancement, and service quality to ensure that student housing remains sustainable and supportive. To strengthen dormitory management practices, Unhas also sent a delegation to Universiti Malaysia, where they learned best practices in sustainable and environmentally friendly dormitory operations.

Transportation support is another important aspect of Unhas’s inclusivity efforts. The university provides a free bicycle service as part of its green campus initiative, helping students move easily between campus areas while promoting eco-friendly mobility. Complementing this effort, the “Teman Bus” service connects the Gowa Engineering Campus with the Tamalanrea Main Campus, making commuting faster and more convenient for students. With the addition of two new routes and a fleet of 27 buses serving key university and urban areas, the program significantly enhances accessibility for the student community.

Unhas also ensures that financial administration is manageable for all students. A dedicated hotline and help desk have been established to assist new students with questions and issues related to tuition fees (Uang Kuliah Tunggal or UKT), ensuring they receive accurate information and timely support.

The university further extends its care through comprehensive health services for students. General and specialized medical care is available through on-campus health facilities. Additionally, in collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry and the Student Professional Council, Unhas’s Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGMP) offers free dental check-ups for all students—an initiative that promotes student well-being and preventive healthcare awareness.

Beyond physical health, mental well-being is also a priority. The Psychology Department at Unhas provides free counseling services to help students manage stress, anxiety, and academic pressure. This initiative ensures that emotional and psychological support is accessible to all students, fostering a healthier learning environment.

Unhas also encourages a balanced and healthy lifestyle through recreational facilities. The Unhas swimming pool is open to the public at affordable rates, with special discounts for university members. This initiative promotes physical activity and helps students maintain a healthy body and mind while studying.

Financial and technological access is also strengthened through partnerships. The establishment of a CIMB Niaga Digital Lounge on campus allows students to conduct financial transactions easily and supports academic activities that require digital banking and payment services.

In times of emergency, Unhas ensures that students receive timely humanitarian assistance. For instance, during the evacuation of Unhas student hikers stranded on Mount Gandang Dewata, the university swiftly provided food aid and logistical support—demonstrating its responsiveness and concern for student welfare.

To support academic excellence, Unhas provides free access to ScienceDirect, a leading global database that allows students and faculty to access thousands of scholarly journals and e-books, enriching research and learning across disciplines. Furthermore, the Korean Corner at Unhas offers free Korean language training for students and the general public, broadening language proficiency and intercultural understanding that are essential for global engagement.

Through these comprehensive initiatives—ranging from affordable housing and transportation services to healthcare, counseling, academic resources, and skills development—Hasanuddin University actively empowers students from low-income families to complete their studies successfully. These efforts reflect Unhas’s broader mission to make education a transformative force for social mobility, equal opportunity, and poverty reduction. By fostering an inclusive academic environment, Unhas continues to prove that higher education is not a privilege for the few, but a right and opportunity for all.