Supporting Students from Low-Income Groups: Hasanuddin University’s Concrete Steps Toward Academic Success and Poverty Alleviation

As one of Indonesia’s leading public universities, Hasanuddin University (Unhas) continues to uphold its commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable higher education environment. Central to this mission is providing strong and tangible support for students from the bottom 20% of household income groups, ensuring that financial hardship does not become a barrier to academic success. This commitment reflects the university’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 4: Quality Education, which emphasize the role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Recognizing that financial constraints often pose serious challenges to student achievement, Unhas has introduced a series of initiatives designed to help economically disadvantaged students complete their studies successfully. One of these efforts is the Thesis Completion Assistance Program, which provides financial support for students in their final stages of study. This assistance covers expenses such as printing, field research, and other logistical costs. By reducing these financial burdens, Unhas ensures that all students, regardless of their economic background, have the opportunity to finish their theses and graduate on time.

In addition to internal university support, Unhas also collaborates with national institutions to expand research opportunities for underprivileged students. Through its partnership with the Bank Indonesia Institute, the university offers the Bank Indonesia Institute Research Grant 2024, which supports students conducting high-quality research in economics, finance, and public policy. This initiative not only empowers talented students from low-income families to produce impactful research but also promotes academic collaboration and professional development. By participating in this program, students can strengthen their research capacity, build networks with national stakeholders, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth.

The university’s collaboration with the private sector also plays a vital role in supporting student success. The Bank BTN Final Project Assistance Program exemplifies this synergy between academia and industry. The program provides financial aid to students who are completing their final projects or theses and require additional support to finish their studies. This partnership reflects the shared responsibility between higher education institutions and the corporate sector in ensuring that students—especially those from low-income families—can graduate without compromising academic quality or facing financial distress.

Beyond direct financial support, Unhas also focuses on enhancing academic resources to promote equal learning opportunities for all. The university provides free access to ScienceDirect, a leading global academic database that offers thousands of scholarly journals, e-books, and research materials. This initiative is particularly beneficial for students from underprivileged backgrounds who might otherwise struggle to access high-quality references. By democratizing access to knowledge, Unhas empowers its students to strengthen their academic literacy, improve research quality, and compete globally.

Through these comprehensive programs—ranging from financial assistance and research grants to academic resource accessibility—Hasanuddin University demonstrates a holistic approach to student empowerment. These efforts not only help students from low-income families achieve academic success but also embody a broader vision of education as a powerful tool for social mobility and poverty reduction.

By combining inclusive policies, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to equal opportunity, Unhas continues to prove that education can serve as the most effective pathway toward breaking the cycle of poverty and building a more just, knowledgeable, and prosperous society.