Access to Services Programs: Enhancing Community Welfare and Self-Reliance through Innovation and Training

As a higher education institution deeply committed to sustainable development, Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) consistently implements a wide range of training programs, mentoring initiatives, and community partnerships aimed at expanding public access to essential services—ranging from education and health to economic empowerment. Through interdisciplinary engagement, UNHAS strives to ensure that communities, particularly those in rural areas and low-income groups, have equal opportunities to improve their quality of life.

One concrete example of this commitment can be seen in the community service initiative “KKN UNHAS Trains Residents to Produce Briquettes and Compost Fertilizer from Agricultural Waste.” In this program, UNHAS students work directly with local residents, providing hands-on training on how to turn agricultural waste into renewable energy sources and eco-friendly fertilizers. This initiative not only helps reduce organic waste but also opens up new economic opportunities for villagers through the production and sale of briquettes and compost with commercial value.

In addition, lecturers and students from the Faculty of Agriculture play an active role in improving local agricultural productivity. Through the Proliga program aimed at increasing chili farmers’ productivity, UNHAS supports farmers in adopting modern cultivation techniques and efficient post-harvest management. These efforts directly contribute to improving farmers’ income and strengthening food security across South Sulawesi.

In the area of economics and entrepreneurship, UNHAS has also established a strategic partnership with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) through the Partnership Extension Program for Monitoring Fair Business Practices among MSMEs. This initiative aims to protect small business owners and ensure a fair, competitive business environment—thereby fostering a more inclusive and equitable local economy.

From the perspective of education and digital literacy, UNHAS continues to expand access to academic resources by re-subscribing to the EBSCOHost e-journal platform and conducting university-wide socialization sessions. This ensures that all students and faculty members have unrestricted access to global research databases, empowering them to improve the quality of their academic work and research outcomes.

UNHAS also places strong emphasis on equitable access to education and student welfare. Through the Special Tuition Assistance Unit for New Students 2024, along with dedicated help desks and hotlines, the university ensures that all students can continue their studies without being hindered by financial difficulties. This initiative reflects UNHAS’s deep commitment to inclusivity and educational equity.

In the field of healthcare, the UNHAS Teaching Hospital (RSP UNHAS) regularly conducts basic training and orientation programs for new medical staff, thereby enhancing the quality of healthcare services within the university and surrounding communities. Similarly, the UNHAS Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGMP) carries out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative titled “Program Peduli” (Care Program), demonstrating the university’s social concern and contribution to community welfare.

To promote economic independence, the Business Incubation and Science Techno Park (IBT-STP UNHAS), in collaboration with Save the Children Indonesia, runs an empowerment program for youth at the Tamangapa landfill (TPA). This initiative helps marginalized young people develop entrepreneurial skills, turning them into independent business owners while fostering a socially innovative local economy.

UNHAS’s commitment to expanding access to essential services also extends to the regional government level. In partnership with the Provincial Government of West Sulawesi, the university supports the “1,000 Scholarships Program” for civil servants and the general public. This initiative aims to improve access to higher education and strengthen human resource development in Eastern Indonesia.

Hasanuddin University, through its Legal Consultation and Aid Center (PKBH), provides legal consultation and assistance services for all members of the academic community and actively promotes legal awareness through activities such as focus group discussions (FGDs), sharing sessions, and PKBH Info publications. In 2024, PKBH held an FGD on Joint Mitigation in Business Management and Asset Utilization, as well as sharing sessions on Land Management Rights and Serious Human Rights Violations in Indonesia. In addition, PKBH Info disseminated legal education materials covering topics such as the concepts of diversion and justice collaborator, and the Constitutional Court’s authority. These activities reflect Unhas’ strong commitment to enhancing legal literacy and awareness within the university community.

Through these diverse and impactful initiatives—spanning education, health, entrepreneurship, legal,  and community empowerment—Universitas Hasanuddin continues to serve as a driving force for inclusive growth and sustainable development. By promoting access, innovation, and self-reliance, UNHAS helps communities move toward a future that is more prosperous, independent, and socially resilient.