Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Center Universitas Hasanuddin
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.
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.
Hasanuddin University is committed to ensuring the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of land, particularly in forest, mountain, and dryland ecosystems under the university’s authority. This commitment is reflected in several policies and regulations, namely:
Concrete implementation is realized through the development of the Unhas Educational Forest in Bengo-Bengo, Maros, covering 30 hectares, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This arboretum hosts over 70 species of endemic plants from various regions of Indonesia and serves as a center for conservation, research, and agro-edutourism, integrated with the development of the Science and Techno Park (STP). The program also includes the management of non-timber forest products and community empowerment through social forestry in the villages surrounding the educational forest.
On another front, the management policy for the Tamalanrea Campus Urban Forest, with more than 5,970 trees from 20 species, including endangered Diospyros celebica (Sulawesi ebony). These activities reflects Unhas’s strong commitment to the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems and the control of microclimates.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) has a clear policy for identifying, monitoring, and protecting species listed in the IUCN Red List as well as the national conservation list, particularly those found within the university’s operational areas. One of the key policy instruments is Rector Regulation No. 41/UN4.1/2023 concerning the Guidelines for the Management of the Educational Forest as a Special Purpose Forest Area. Article 4 states that the educational forest must be managed sustainably by preserving biodiversity, including rare and endangered flora and fauna. Article 7 emphasizes the obligation of the academic community and related parties to conduct conservation, restoration, and species monitoring activities, and to report the outcomes to support preservation efforts. This policy remains in effect and continues to be implemented, particularly in 2024.
In addition, the university has issued a Circular Letter on the Protection of Certain Plants and Animals, reinforcing the protection of rare and endangered flora and fauna within the campus environment.
Unhas is also actively implementing these policies through research and conservation activities. For instance, Unhas students have conducted awareness campaigns on Sulawesi’s endemic wildlife as part of efforts to monitor and protect rare species and FMIPA students conducted research on endemic fish in Lake Lontoa. Moreover, the Unhas Educational Forest in Bengo-Bengo, Maros, is managed as a 30-hectare arboretum, housing around 70 species of endemic Indonesian plants. This area serves as a hub for conservation, research, and agro-edutourism, supporting the protection of local biodiversity. UNHAS is also collaborating with the KEHATI Foundation to establish Biodiversity Warriors to support biodiversity conservation.
Through these policies and their implementation, Unhas ensures that all its operational activities support the conservation of protected species and contribute to maintaining the balance of terrestrial ecosystems in South Sulawesi.
Hasanuddin University has integrated aspects of local biodiversity into its campus planning and development policies through the Hasanuddin University Strategic Plan 2020–2024 and the Hasanuddin University Masterplan 2024–2044. In the 2020–2024 Strategic Plan, Chapter II states that Unhas implements an environmentally friendly green campus concept by considering ecological balance and natural resource conservation. Unhas’ vision, which is based on the Indonesian Maritime Continent, also emphasizes the importance of the unity of terrestrial, marine, and aerial ecosystems, which includes biodiversity elements as the foundation for academic and infrastructure development.
Furthermore, Chapter V of the Strategic Plan contains the Campus Infrastructure Development Program, which includes environmentally friendly and sustainable landscape planning activities, reflecting Unhas’ commitment to preserving local flora and fauna in every development project. Meanwhile, the 2024–2044 Masterplan serves as a technical guide regulating spatial planning, zoning, and physical campus development by considering the preservation of biodiversity. This document ensures that each development of buildings, green open spaces, and new facilities must take into account natural vegetation, the ecological function of the area, and the presence of local species.
Currently, Unhas is recognized as an urban forest that contains more than 5,900 trees from 20 different species and houses a 30-hectare educational forest that serves as an arboretum with more than 70 types of endemic Indonesian plants.
In addition, Unhas also conducts research activities related to local biodiversity that can be utilized in construction activities. For example, the student research project PKM Re-Corrosion Heroes09 explored the use of natural materials derived from bamboo grass to prevent corrosion in steel building structures. Other research includes studies on the ebony tree (Diospyros celebica Bakh.), one of Sulawesi’s endemic species with high ecological value and potential for use as a building material.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) has established concrete policies and programs to mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) within its campus areas and affiliated regions. Through Rector’s Regulation No. 41/UN4.1/2023 on the Guidelines for the Management of Educational Forests as Special Purpose Forest Areas, Unhas explicitly regulates efforts for the prevention, control, and protection of ecosystems against invasive alien species (Article 8, point e). This policy emphasizes that all activities within the educational forest area must consider risk analysis and mitigation measures related to invasive species.
In addition, Rector’s Regulation No. 11/UN4.1/2022 on the Guidelines for Guidelines for Spatial Planning and Building Utilization on Campus and Building Planning and Utilization integrates the principles of a green campus and ecological balance into campus development planning, thereby reducing the potential spread of alien species through construction and landscape activities. All of these policies remain in effect and are actively implemented to date, reflecting UNHAS’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and biodiversity protection.
These policies are implemented through various activities in 2024, including the control of the invasive water hyacinth species and student initiatives to manage invasive bamboo species through the Re-Corrosion Heroes09 Student Creativity Program (PKM). Furthermore, Unhas also focuses on the control and utilization of armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys sp.), one of the invasive species found in South Sulawesi waters. Through Thematic Community Service Programs (KKN Tematik) and Vocational Programs, Unhas students have innovatively transformed the armored catfish into high-value alternative feed and eco-friendly organic fertilizer.
Moreover, in collaboration with the Soppeng Regional Government, the management program for the armored catfish has been integrated with maggot cultivation as a natural feed source, creating a circular economy model that simultaneously controls the invasive species. The synergy between formal policies and field implementation demonstrates that Hasanuddin University not only establishes written regulations but also applies them concretely through education, research, and community service programs.
Hasanuddin University (Unhas) actively collaborates with local communities in maintaining and restoring shared land ecosystems, generating positive impacts on both the environment and community well-being. Through various cross-faculty programs and partnerships, Unhas plays an active role in sustaining agricultural lands, conservation areas, and watershed ecosystems (DAS) in South Sulawesi.
One example is the collaboration with Eratani in developing sustainable agriculture in South Sulawesi, which strengthens environmentally friendly and participatory food production models based on local farming communities. The partnership between the Kerabat Women Farmers Group (KWT) and the Mahatani Student Organization Program (PPK Ormawa) of Unhas reflects the synergy between the academic community and residents in managing sustainable agricultural land.
The Agribusiness Study Program of the Faculty of Agriculture at Unhas assists rice farmers through technology transfer, agribusiness management training, and the application of environmentally friendly agricultural practices to increase land productivity without harming ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Soil Science Study Program conducts community service activities in Maros, collaborating with local communities to conserve soil fertility, prevent erosion, and promote sustainable land management.
Equally important, the watershed (DAS) rehabilitation program in Toraja demonstrates collaboration between the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) of Unhas and PT Vale Indonesia, through tree planting around Toraja Airport to restore upstream ecosystem functions, maintain water quality, and preserve terrestrial ecosystem balance.
Through these various collaborations, Hasanuddin University demonstrates its strong commitment that maintaining shared land ecosystems is not only an academic responsibility but also a collective movement between the university and the community.
Hasanuddin University has demonstrated a strong commitment to water quality management and pollution prevention. Through a Rector’s Circular Letter No 28720/UN4.1/KM.01.03/2024 on Environmental Protection and the Prevention of Water and Land Pollution
and a Rector’s Decree on the Guidelines for Efficient and Sustainable Water Management at Hasanuddin University, the institution ensures the efficient use of water resources while maintaining the sustainability of the campus ecosystem. These guidelines set out measures for protecting and preventing both water and land environments from pollution within the campus area. They include the management of liquid waste, water quality monitoring, and the application of environmentally friendly technologies to safeguard ecosystems and public health.
These efforts are further strengthened through research and monitoring of the water quality of the Unhas Campus Lake, which serves both as a water tourism area and a scientific park. Research findings indicate that the lake water is currently classified as slightly to moderately polluted, thus requiring integrated management. This includes adding biological indicators, increasing vegetation diversity around the lake, and coordinating management efforts with nearby residential areas.
Unhas students have also carried out concrete initiatives. For example, through the Thematic Community Service Program (KKNT) in Tamaona Village, students introduced the Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method to determine the distribution of clean water, thereby making stunting prevention efforts more effective. In addition, AIESEC Unhas students educated elementary school pupils about water filter technology, raising awareness and understanding of the importance of water quality. Another innovation involves utilizing corncob waste as a water purifier material, which simultaneously reduces organic waste and supports environmental sustainability.
Hasanuddin University actively implements a plastic waste reduction policy within the campus environment. One of the main policies is the a Circular Letter No. 09246/UN4.1/KM.01.03/2024 on the Prohibition of single-use drinking water packaging and plastic bags and the Circular Letter No. 05501/UN4.16/PL/04/2024 on the Use of tumblers, which require all members of the academic community to reduce single-use plastic consumption across all campus units and facilities. This policy is further supported by the Circular Letter No. 28720/UN4.1/KM.01.03/2024 on Rector’s Regulation the Protection and Prevention of Water and Land Pollution and the Rector’s Regulation No. 11/UN4.1/2022 on the Guidelines for Spatial and Building Management of the Campus emphasizing the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle, environmentally friendly waste management, and plastic pollution prevention.
In addition to formal policies, Unhas students have initiated various plastic waste reduction and management programs, including:
Through the combination of formal policies and student-led initiatives, Hasanuddin University has successfully reduced plastic usage on campus, increased community awareness of sustainable waste management, and supported the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
Hasanuddin University has a clear and systematic policy for the management and disposal of Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3) waste. This policy includes:
This circular regulates the identification, segregation, storage, and disposal of B3 waste within the campus environment. It also establishes the procedures that all members of the Unhas academic community must follow to ensure safe and compliant B3 waste management in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Through these policies and practices, Hasanuddin University is committed to managing B3 waste responsibly, minimizing negative environmental impacts, and supporting the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems.