15.2 Supporting land ecosystems through education
Hasanuddin University consistently supports the achievement of SDG 15 through the implementation of various activities focused on the conservation and sustainable use of land, including forests and natural ecosystems. These activities include (1) the International Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture, which fosters global collaboration in the sustainable management of natural resources; (2) the International Conference on Sustainable Environment organized by the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM Unhas), which highlights environmental conservation efforts and land governance; and (3) a Public Lecture on Forest Conservation with a guest speaker from Ehime University, Japan, which enhances understanding of tropical forest conservation.
International support is also evident through a visit by the UK Minister for Development alongside the Rector of Unhas to Alfred Wallace’s heritage site in Maros, which emphasizes the importance of biodiversity research in Wallacea. In addition, academic collaboration with Syiah Kuala University, facilitated by a visit to the Unhas Educational Forest KHDTK, strengthens knowledge exchange on sustainable forest management.
In the area of research and innovation, Unhas has established a cooperation with SEAMEO BIOTROP in developing tropical biotechnology, focusing on biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. Unhas has also declared the establishment of a Geopark Research and Study Center, as a commitment to maintaining the balance between land use, biodiversity conservation, and geodiversity preservation.
This series of initiatives reflects Unhas’ role in initiating and supporting land conservation, both within the campus environment and in the wider community, through international collaboration, research, and community engagement.
Hasanuddin University has taken concrete steps to ensure that the food served on campus is sourced from sustainable agricultural practices. Through Rector’s Circular No. 09834/UN4.1/KM.01.03/2024, regarding food served within the Unhas environment, the university established an internal policy requiring that food provided in Unhas cafeterias consider sustainable agricultural practices.
Unhas has also initiated agricultural and local production programs that support the principles of sustainable farming. For example, the cocoa pilot plant run by IBT-STP Unhas is a premium chocolate processing unit under the brand name Cokelat Celebes, which uses local cocoa beans sourced from sustainable cocoa farms in South Sulawesi. In addition, Unhas academics have developed Cavendish banana cultivation on the Unhas campus as an alternative food source. The Faculty of Animal Science produces and sells meat and processed meat products sourced from sustainable livestock farms. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Forestry cultivates mushrooms that are sold within the campus. These various policies and initiatives demonstrate Unhas’s commitment to ensuring that the food available on campus comes from sustainable agricultural land.
Hasanuddin University is committed to preserving and expanding the biodiversity of existing ecosystems through various research activities, community service, and cross-sector collaborations. One important step is the preparation for the establishment of the Wallacea Research Institute, which focuses on the conservation of the Wallacea region as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Additionally, Unhas community service students (KKN) have initiated a campaign to raise awareness of Sulawesi’s endemic wildlife in the celebration of Nature Conservation Day, aiming to increase public awareness of the protection of threatened local fauna. This effort is further strengthened by ecosystem restoration programs involving forests, lakes, and rivers, conducted jointly with Unhas thematic community services students (KKNT) and PT Vale, directly contributing to the recovery of critical ecosystems.
International support is also present through the visit of the UK Minister for Development alongside the Rector of Unhas to the heritage site of Alfred Wallace’s home in Maros, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity research in Wallacea.
In academic research, Unhas lecturers and researchers published articles discussing strategies for tropical ecosystem preservation on biodiversity conservation in journals, like Biodiversitas and Heliyon. Research is also conducted through the Karst Microbiology Research and Study Center, which develops molecular mycorrhiza research to support the conservation of the unique and vulnerable karst ecosystem.
All these activities reaffirm Unhas’s commitment to directly working on preserving and expanding its ecosystems and biodiversity, both flora and fauna, especially in ecosystems facing threats.
Hasanuddin University is committed to supporting the achievement of SDG 15 through the implementation of various educational programs related to ecosystems of wild flora and fauna, targeting both local communities and national audiences. One of the key initiatives is the Bengo-Bengo Education Forest, which serves as a center for forestry education and research, as well as a learning facility on ecosystems for students, researchers, and the public.
The Faculty of Forestry Unhas has also developed several educational platforms, including the establishment of study programs of Conservation Forestry and Forest Engineering, which offer public lectures and training sessions on topics including biodiversity, mangrove utilization, bioprospecting, and the use of e-DNA. In addition, the faculty collaborates with San Diego State University and Georgia State University on research related to human–Macaca maura interactions in Sulawesi. The results of this research have been presented in public lectures at Unhas. In addition, Unhas also partners with conservation organizations such as Tarsius Indonesia to raise community awareness of the importance of preserving Sulawesi’s endemic wildlife.
Through these various activities, Unhas not only enhances the academic capacity of its students but also empowers local communities to engage in sustainable biodiversity conservation.
Hasanuddin University is committed to promoting the sustainable management of agricultural land through various educational and community service programs. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of local and national communities in implementing sustainable management of agricultural land.
Key activities include: the introduction of floating rice as an innovation to address flooded paddy fields; the development of early-maturing rice varieties suitable for all seasons through community service programs aimed at accelerating harvest time and improving farmer productivity; and education on the use of organic and plant-based pesticides, including training on making pesticides from maja fruit, to reduce negative impacts on ecosystems and public health. In addition, Unhas students and lecturers introduce appropriate agricultural technology to communities to support the sustainable management of agricultural land, and utilize wild plants as alternative food sources.
Sustainability efforts are also carried out through the management of agricultural and livestock waste into compost fertilizer, as part of circular farming practices that maintain soil and environmental quality. These programs are implemented in various regions, including Gowa, Takalar, and Bantaeng Regencies, through hands-on training and farmer group mentoring conducted by Unhas students and lecturers.
Through this series of educational and community service programs, Hasanuddin University not only strengthens the agricultural capacity of local communities but also promotes the sustainable management of agricultural land and the preservation of agricultural ecosystem sustainability.
Hasanuddin University is committed to supporting the sustainable management of land for tourism areas through educational and community service programs involving local communities., including the establishment of the Vocational Program in Tourism Destinations and the Bachelor’s Program in Tourism. The Faculty of Forestry at Unhas, through various activities, provides training and assistance on ecotourism management and environmental conservation in tourism areas, enabling communities to utilize natural resources responsibly and sustainably.
Key activities include community service on ecotourism in the social forestry area of Bissoloro Village, Gowa, which combines forest conservation with the development of local tourism potential; and community service activities at Pattunuang Resort in Maros Regency, which emphasize forest ecosystem conservation alongside the development of nature-based tourism.
Unhas has also established a Geopark Research and Study Center to raise awareness among communities and tourists about biodiversity and the importance of maintaining a balance between land use and environmental preservation. Educational activities also include the exploration of the Prehistoric Human Caves in Leang-Leang, Maros, as a learning medium on history, culture, and environmental conservation that supports the sustainable management of tourist sites.
In addition, academic publications—such as the study on “Local Community Engagement in Utilizing Butterflies as a Livelihood Source” (a study in Bantimurung Village, Maros Regency) and research on visitor awareness and perceptions of waste management in nature tourism areas—provide valuable insights into how tourist behavior affects ecosystem preservation and environmental quality in national parks.
Through these programs, Hasanuddin University not only increases public awareness of sustainable tourism area management practices but also encourages active participation of local communities in preserving natural and cultural ecosystems as tourism assets.