Visit by the JICA Indonesia Advisory Team Promotes Strengthened Global Collaboration and Innovation at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Hasanuddin, for Eastern Indonesia

The Faculty of Engineering of Universitas Hasanuddin (FT Unhas) welcomed a visit from the Advisor Team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Indonesia as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation networks, exchange ideas, and develop academic and innovation collaborations to support sustainable development in Eastern Indonesia.

The event was held at the Exhibition Hall of the Faculty of Engineering Unhas on Friday (September 25, 2026). The agenda included presentations on the profile and future development direction of FT Unhas, discussions on strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities for research cooperation between universities in Indonesia and Japan.

The event began with a welcoming speech from the Faculty of Engineering Unhas, delivered by Dr.Eng. Hendra Pachri, S.T., M.Eng., representing the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Unhas. In his capacity as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, Dr.Eng. Hendra Pachri presented the profile, achievements, and development progress of FT Unhas as one of Indonesia’s leading engineering higher education institutions with a strategic role in developing human resources and technology, particularly in Eastern Indonesia.

The program continued with a presentation by Mr. Kazuhisa Matsui, JICA Expert, who has extensive experience in supporting regional development in South Sulawesi. Based on JICA’s project records, Matsui previously served as a Regional Development Policy Advisor in Makassar from November 1995 to March 2001 and returned to undertake a similar role from April 2008 to April 2010.

In his presentation, Matsui emphasized the importance of higher education institutions’ involvement in regional development. According to him, development cannot be achieved through a sectoral approach alone, but requires strong connectivity among various stakeholders and the integration of available resources and potentials.

“The boundaries and barriers that exist need to be opened, and all available potentials need to be combined,” was one of the key messages highlighted during the discussion.

Matsui attended the event together with Mr. Sano Atsushi, Ph.D., Ms. Rizka Putri, and Ms. Idha Gosal. The presence of the JICA team provided a strategic opportunity for FT Unhas to reflect on the long-standing partnership that has been established while identifying broader and more impactful collaboration opportunities in the future.

Furthermore, Dr.Eng. Faizal, S.T., M.Inf.Tech., M.Eng., Head of the Center of Technology (CoT) Unhas, delivered a presentation entitled “Collaboration, Innovation, and Impact: The Journey of CoT Unhas in Supporting Eastern Indonesia Development.”

In his presentation, Dr.Eng. Faizal highlighted the historical significance of the relationship between JICA and the Faculty of Engineering Unhas in strengthening institutional capacity and supporting the development of engineering education.

“Every visit from JICA brings its own sense of appreciation and excitement. Through the JICA Project, the Faculty of Engineering campus was established,” said Dr.Eng. Faizal, emphasizing the historical contribution of JICA cooperation to the growth of FT Unhas.

The presentation also addressed various challenges faced by CoT in developing innovation, particularly in ensuring that research outcomes and technological developments do not remain limited to academic activities but can be transformed into practical solutions that address community needs and regional development challenges in Eastern Indonesia.

Strengthening the innovation ecosystem, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration, and establishing stronger connections with industries were identified as important elements in the future development of CoT.

The next presentation was delivered by Prof. M. Bachtiar Nappu, S.T., M.T., M.Phil., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Partnership, Research, Innovation, and Alumni Affairs, with the theme “Multidisciplinary Synergy Towards Maritime Continent Innovation.”

One of the main ideas emphasized was the importance of breaking down sectoral boundaries in building a stronger research and innovation ecosystem.

This concept is increasingly relevant in addressing the complexity of development challenges in Eastern Indonesia, which require interdisciplinary approaches. FT Unhas is encouraged not only to strengthen internal collaboration but also to expand partnerships with government institutions, industries, universities, research organizations, and international partners.

In this context, “Towards a New Chapter of Global Partnership” becomes an important direction for FT Unhas in expanding its international role and contribution.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr.Eng. Andi Erwin Eka Putra, S.T., M.T., Head of the Center for Faculty Development and Global Connectivity, presented a topic entitled “Development of the Faculty of Engineering Universitas Hasanuddin to Strengthen the Strategic Role of Eastern Indonesia.”

The presentation highlighted the challenges and transformation strategies of FT Unhas, including various development options for the faculty structure to respond to changes in higher education, regional development needs, and global collaboration demands.

The discussion continued with several concrete opportunities to strengthen academic and research cooperation. Mr. Kazuhisa Matsui encouraged FT Unhas lecturers to expand research networks with academics from various universities, following collaborative research practices commonly implemented in Japan.

According to Matsui, research activities do not have to be limited to a single institution but can be developed through research groups or study groups involving academics from multiple universities.

Matsui also encouraged the development of research collaborations involving the private sector so that research outcomes have stronger connections with real-world needs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sano Atsushi, Ph.D., proposed the establishment of joint initiatives in developing program proposals, including the concept of a co-creation ground as a platform to collectively identify and address development challenges in Eastern Indonesia by involving universities from Japan.

These inputs provide opportunities for FT Unhas to develop a partnership model that goes beyond academic exchanges and focuses on co-creation—the joint creation of solutions that generate meaningful impacts for society.

The series of activities concluded with a visit to the Soil & Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, accompanied by Dr. Ir. Ar. H. Edward Syarif, S.T., M.T., IAI, and Dr.Eng. Ir. Ardy Arsyad, S.T., M.Eng.Sc.

The visit allowed the JICA team to directly observe research facilities and explore potential future research development opportunities within the Faculty of Engineering Unhas.

The visit of the JICA Indonesia Advisor Team is expected to become a milestone in opening a new chapter of partnership between FT Unhas and Japan, particularly in collaborative research development, innovation advancement, academic capacity building, and the creation of solutions for development challenges in Eastern Indonesia.

Through a spirit of collaboration and cross-sector openness, the Faculty of Engineering Universitas Hasanuddin continues to strengthen its role as an institution of education, research, and innovation that contributes to sustainable development at both national and global levels.