MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Hasanuddin University is strengthening its direction of international collaboration in global health and human resource capacity development through a strategic meeting with the United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Peter M. Haymond.
The meeting, which served as a forum to deepen cooperation based on strategic needs and long-term impact, took place at the Stanford US–Unhas Center, Unhas Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar, on Saturday (March 28).
The main focus of the collaboration includes enhancing preparedness for disease threats and strengthening public health systems that are adaptive to global dynamics. In this context, universities play a crucial role as producers of knowledge, innovation, and competent human resources.
The Rector of Unhas, Jamaluddin Jompa, places the issue of planetary health as one of the key pillars in future collaboration. This approach emphasizes the interconnection between human health, the environment, and sustainable development, requiring cross-disciplinary and cross-sector synergy.
Within this framework, Unhas positions itself as a connector to encourage the integration of policy, research, and program implementation, particularly in strengthening the contribution of Eastern Indonesia to the global health agenda.
“Through various strategic programs being developed, Unhas is committed to continuously optimizing its contributions,” Prof. JJ explained.
The Rector also highlighted the importance of equitable development in science and research, which has so far been largely concentrated on the island of Java. Strengthening international collaboration is seen as a strategic step to expand its role within the global academic ecosystem.
Ambassador Peter M. Haymond noted that this cooperation has a clear direction with several priority programs that can be implemented immediately. Support is focused on strengthening collaboration that is results-oriented, sustainable, and impactful in the long term.
“Unhas has the capacity to become a driving force that can engage other universities. We see great potential for Unhas to lead collaboration and serve as a reference in academic research development in this region,” said Ambassador Haymond.
One of the main pillars of the collaboration is the continuation of cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), particularly through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP).
This program has played a significant role in producing competent epidemiologists and strengthening public health response capacity in Indonesia.
In addition, collaboration will also be reinforced through the development of grant schemes to encourage partnerships between institutions in the United States and universities, with Unhas acting as the main driving institution in expanding collaborative networks.
Overall, this initiative is aimed at strengthening global connectivity, improving the quality of research and education, and building sustainable institutional capacity to address health challenges at both national and global levels.