The Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University and Universiti Putra Malaysia Successfully Hosted Tech4Good 2026 Through an International Symposium and Community Service Activities
Gowa-Makassar, June 4, 2026 – The Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University (FT-UH), in collaboration with the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSKTM) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), successfully hosted Tech4Good 2026, an international collaborative program that integrates academic activities and community service. This program was realized through the International Symposium on AI, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity (AIRC 2026) held at the Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, as well as the International Collaborative Community Service program at MAN 2 Makassar and MTsN 1 Makassar. These activities were organized by the Global Engagement Office (GEO) of the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University as part of efforts to strengthen international collaboration in the fields of education, research, technological innovation, and community service.
The Tech4Good 2026 program serves as a concrete manifestation of the commitment by the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University and Universiti Putra Malaysia to strengthen international cooperation in the fields of education, research, technological innovation, and community service. Centered on the overarching themes of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity, the event features a variety of programs designed to engage academics, university students, and even high school students.
The series of events began with the International Symposium on AI, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity (AIRC 2026), held at the Center of Technology (COT) Building, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University. This international symposium brought together academics, researchers, students, and practitioners to discuss the latest developments and innovations in the fields of artificial intelligence, immersive reality, and cybersecurity.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Novy NRA Mokobombang, S.T., M.S.T.M., Ph.D., as a representative of the AIRC 2026 organizing committee, expressed his hope that the event would provide broad benefits to all participants. According to him, in addition to serving as a forum for the exchange of knowledge, AIRC 2026 also provides participants with the opportunity to learn about opportunities for further study and scholarships at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
“We hope this event will benefit all participants, not only through the exchange of knowledge related to Artificial Intelligence, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity, but also through sessions sharing information about opportunities for further study and scholarships at Universiti Putra Malaysia,” he said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ir. Muh. Isran Ramli, S.T., M.T., IPM., ASEAN Eng., who delivered his remarks in person via Zoom Meeting, expressed his appreciation to Universiti Putra Malaysia for the collaboration established in organizing this international event.
According to him, the rapid pace of technological development requires synergy among universities to produce innovations and research capable of making tangible contributions to society.
“We would like to express our appreciation to Universiti Putra Malaysia for collaborating in organizing this event. We hope that AIRC 2026 can serve as a platform to strengthen international academic ties while opening up broader opportunities for cooperation in the fields of education, research, and technological innovation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dato' Prof. Dr. Shamala K., who also participated via Zoom Meeting, expressed her gratitude to the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University for hosting and facilitating the event.
“We would like to thank the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University for facilitating this event. We hope that the relationships we have established will continue to grow and lead to various collaborative programs that benefit both institutions as well as the wider community,” she said.
Academic Session of the Symposium on AI, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity (AIRC 2026)
The AIRC 2026 academic session featured two keynote speakers: Dr. Nor Azura Husin from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Prof. Dr. Eng. Muhammad Niswar from Hasanuddin University. Both discussed various opportunities and challenges in the application of Artificial Intelligence, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity across various sectors of life.
The academic session was moderated by Dr. Ilham Alimuddin, S.T., M.GIS., Ph.D. The discussion was interactive and met with great enthusiasm from participants, including faculty members, researchers, students, and practitioners.
The event then continued with a Research Program Sharing Session featuring academics from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSKTM) at Universiti Putra Malaysia: Ts. Dr. Raihani Mohamed, Dr. Normalia Samian, Dr. Ng Seng Beng, and Dr. Maslina Zolkepli. During this session, participants received information about various flagship graduate programs, namely the Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Computer Networks, Master’s in Intelligent Systems, and Master’s in Data Science. In addition to introducing the academic programs, the presenters also shared information regarding international research opportunities, academic collaborations, and scholarships for advanced studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
In addition to keynote sessions and knowledge-sharing programs, the first day of AIRC 2026 also featured Parallel Research Presentation Sessions held from 1:01 PM–3:30 PM WITA. These sessions were divided into four main tracks reflecting current research and technology development focuses: Computer Engineering Applications, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity. This event served as a platform for academics and researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) to present research findings, share experiences, and expand their international collaboration networks.
Track 1: Computer Engineering Applications
In Track 1: Computer Engineering Applications, participants presented various innovations in the fields of the Internet of Things (IoT), Human-Computer Interaction, data mining, Brain-Computer Interfaces, and the challenges of Artificial Intelligence in addressing the proliferation of digital information. This session was moderated by Dr. Sc. Muhammad Sulhuzair Burhanuddin, S.T., M.T. and held in the 3rd-Floor Meeting Room, COT Building.
Track 2: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Meanwhile, Track 2: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science covered various research topics related to the application of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, data analysis, and digital twin technology to support sustainable resource management. This session was moderated by Ir. Tyanita Puti Marindah W., S.T., M.Inf. and took place in the 2nd-Floor Meeting Room, COT Building.
Track 3: Immersive Reality
In Track 3: Immersive Reality, presenters discussed various innovations in the fields of Augmented Reality (AR), stereoscopic visualization, edge computing, and the use of Artificial Intelligence to enhance health awareness and create more interactive learning experiences. This session was moderated by Dianti Utamidewi, S.T., M.T. and held at the GEO Office, COT Building.
Track 4: Cybersecurity
Track 4: CybersecurityB featured various topics on cybersecurity, medical image encryption, the security of AI implementation in enterprise environments, detection of malicious network traffic, and the use of machine learning for data security analysis. This session was led by Ir. Zarah Arwieny Hanami, S.T., M.T. and took place in the COT Meeting Room, 1st Floor.
Through these four parallel sessions, AIRC 2026 successfully brought together researchers from both institutions to exchange ideas and strengthen international research collaboration. The participation of presenters from UPM and UNHAS in various strategic fields demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation that makes a tangible impact on society.
As a concrete manifestation of the spirit of collaboration fostered through AIRC 2026, the Tech4Good 2026 series continued with the International Collaborative Community Service initiative, held at MAN 2 Makassar and MTsN 1 Makassar.
International Collaborative Community Service at MAN 2 Makassar City
At MAN 2 Makassar City, the event was attended by a delegation of academics from Universiti Putra Malaysia, faculty members from the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University, school administrators, and students. The event began with the presentation of a plaque to MAN 2 Makassar City as a symbol of appreciation and shared commitment to supporting the development of education and digital literacy through international collaboration.
Presentation of a Plaque to MAN 2 Makassar City
In his remarks, the Principal of MAN 2 Makassar City expressed his hope that the event would help students understand the ever-evolving field of digital technology.
“We hope that the students can learn about technology more effectively, understand the rapidly advancing digital landscape, and utilize it positively to support their learning and personal development,” he said.
The Chair of the Global Engagement Office (GEO) at the Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Prof. Muh. Anshar, S.T., M.Sc. (Research), Ph.D., explained that this community service activity is part of a series of international collaborations that link academic activities with direct contributions to the community.
Welcoming Speech at MAN 2 Makassar
“Today we are conducting a community service event at MAN 2 Makassar and MTsN 1 Makassar. Previously, there was also an international symposium as part of the collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University and Universiti Putra Malaysia. Through this activity, we hope students can become familiar with technological advancements from an early age and be motivated to continue learning and innovating,” he explained.
On this occasion, a representative from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr. Nor Azarah Husain, introduced the three main focuses that will serve as the themes for Tech4Good 2026: artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence), immersive reality (Immersive Reality), and cybersecurity (Cybersecurity). According to her, these three fields represent technologies that play a crucial role in supporting digital transformation across various sectors.
“We are introducing three main tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Immersive Reality, and Cybersecurity. These three fields are integral to the digital transformation currently taking place across various sectors. We hope students will become familiar with these technologies early on and be motivated to continue developing their skills,” she explained.
As the main agenda of the event, a team from Universiti Putra Malaysia conducted interactive sessions introducing various applications of modern digital technologies. Participants received explanations regarding the basic concepts of artificial intelligence, immersive reality technology, and the importance of cybersecurity in daily life. The students’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the event through their active participation in discussion sessions and technology demonstrations prepared by the outreach team.
Application of Modern Technology at MAN 2 Makassar
In addition to MAN 2 Makassar, a similar event was also held at MTsN 1 Makassar under the theme “Introduction to Smart and Creative Digital Technologies for School Students in Makassar.” The event, held in the auditorium of MTsN 1 Makassar, was attended by a delegation of academics from Universiti Putra Malaysia, faculty members from the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University, the leadership and teaching staff of MTsN 1 Makassar, as well as student representatives from grades VII and VIII.
International Collaborative Community Service at MTsN 1 Makassar
The event began with the presentation of a plaque to MTsN 1 Makassar City as a token of appreciation for the school’s support in implementing this international program. This plaque presentation symbolizes both appreciation and a shared commitment to continue strengthening cooperation in the fields of education and community service. The event aimed to introduce various creative digital technologies to students while broadening their perspectives on future technological developments.
Plaque Presentation to MTsN 1 Makassar
The Principal of MTsN 1 Makassar expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the school as the venue for this international event.
“We are proud to host Universiti Putra Malaysia and Hasanuddin University, both leading educational institutions. We hope this event will be beneficial and open new horizons for our students,” he said.
Representing the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University, the Chair of the Global Engagement Office (GEO), Prof. Muh. Anshar, S.T., M.Sc. (Research), Ph.D., emphasized the importance of international collaboration in supporting educational development and technological innovation. He commended the enthusiasm of the students at MTsN 1 Makassar, who have been actively producing various works and innovations from an early age.
“We deeply appreciate the enthusiasm of the students at MTsN 1 Makassar, who have been accustomed to producing creative works and innovations from an early age. The Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University also has various research facilities, including a robotics laboratory, which we hope will serve as a space for collaboration and inspiration for the younger generation,” he said.
Prof. Anshar also expressed his hope that the collaboration established with Universiti Putra Malaysia would continue to grow through various academic activities and community service initiatives in the future.
Welcoming Speech at MTsN 1 Makassar
Meanwhile, Dr. Noris Mohd Norowi explained that Tech4Good is an international program that has been implemented in various countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. He hopes that the relationship established between the two institutions will continue to grow through various academic programs, research initiatives, and competitions involving students from both countries.
“We hope this event doesn’t end here. May the relationship we’ve built continue to grow through various academic programs, research initiatives, and competitions involving students from both countries,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Noris Mohd Norowi explained that Tech4Good is an international program that has been implemented in various countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. He hopes that the relationship established between the two institutions will continue to grow through various academic programs, research initiatives, and competitions involving students and undergraduates.
One of the main agenda items for this event was a digital technology introduction session led by a team from Universiti Putra Malaysia. In line with the event’s theme, participants were introduced to various smart and creative technologies that can be utilized in the field of education, including artificial intelligence, immersive reality technology, cybersecurity, digital cinematography, holograms, and Virtual Reality (VR).
Introduction to Digital Technology
The students’ enthusiasm was evident throughout the session. In addition to receiving explanations about the application of these technologies, participants also had the opportunity to directly try out various technology demonstrations using equipment prepared by the Universiti Putra Malaysia team. The high level of participant engagement in the discussion and hands-on sessions demonstrated the younger generation’s strong interest in future technological developments.
Through Tech4Good 2026, the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University and Universiti Putra Malaysia demonstrated a shared commitment to integrating education, research, and community service into a single ecosystem of international collaboration. Not only did this program serve as a platform for knowledge exchange among academics and researchers through AIRC 2026, but it also had a direct impact on the community by improving digital literacy and introducing future technologies to the younger generation in Makassar.
The successful hosting of AIRC 2026 and the International Collaborative Community Service Tech4Good 2026 demonstrates both institutions’ strong commitment to building a sustainable global academic network. It is hoped that this collaboration will continue to grow through various programs in education, research, technological innovation, academic exchange, and community service that provide tangible benefits to the people of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the global community.