MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Graduation Is Not the Finish Line: Unhas Rector Calls Graduates to Embrace “Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn”
The graduation ceremony is often seen as a finish line. Yet at Baruga A.P. Pettarani, Tamalanrea Campus, Makassar, the atmosphere on Thursday, May 7, 2026, signaled something far more challenging: the beginning of a new journey.
Before 981 new graduates of Universitas Hasanuddin for the May 2026 graduation period, Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., widely known as Prof JJ, did more than simply offer congratulations.
He delivered a strategic narrative on how to survive and remain relevant amid increasingly exponential global changes.
From the perspective of strategic communication, Prof JJ’s message was not merely ceremonial rhetoric, but rather a navigation guide for young intellectuals facing growing global uncertainty.
Understanding the Paradox of Exponential Global Challenges
Why must we continue to change? Prof JJ’s answer was rooted in the reality that today’s challenges possess an unprecedented level of complexity.
Interestingly, he emphasized a striking irony: the greatest threat to humanity today no longer comes solely from natural factors, but from systems created by humans themselves.
Several critical issues were highlighted as major concerns:
Climate Crisis and Food Vulnerability
Drastic environmental changes are threatening the stability of humanity’s most basic needs across the globe.
Global Economic Fluctuations
Highly volatile and interconnected international market dynamics are capable of reshaping national prosperity within a very short time.
Exponential Technological Disruption
Technological advancement is accelerating faster than humanity’s ability to adapt, demanding new definitions of how people work and interact.
The modern world no longer provides room for those who remain static. When the systems we create become sources of uncertainty, it is humanity’s internal capacity that must evolve.
“Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn” as Cognitive Evolution
Amid the storm of disruption, Prof JJ introduced the framework of Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn. This is not merely a slogan, but a cognitive competency that distinguishes those who will be left behind from those who will lead.
Learn
Recognizing that academic competencies gained in university are only the initial foundation. Learning is a continuous process of acquiring knowledge.
Unlearn
This is the most challenging phase. Unlearning requires the courage to dismantle outdated knowledge and abandon obsolete methods and mindsets. Stepping out of the comfort zone is not just jargon, but a necessity to audit one’s own intellectual framework.
Relearn
The ability to rebuild new ways of thinking, acquire relevant skills, and align oneself with the ever-changing demands of the times.
“The most valuable skill today is the ability to continuously dismantle old knowledge and learn new things. Learn, unlearn, and relearn are abilities every Unhas graduate must possess in order to remain relevant amid global changes,” Prof JJ emphasized.
Unhas as an Incubator of Real Solutions
As an institution, Universitas Hasanuddin not only demands change from its students, but also sets an example through institutional transformation.
Its mandate to educate the nation is now translated into downstream research that directly impacts society. Unhas positions itself not as an ivory tower, but as a solution center for national challenges.
Concrete manifestations of this “Relearn” philosophy can be seen in several strategic innovations developed by Unhas in the agro-complex sector, including:
Superior Corn Seeds
A concrete effort to strengthen national food sovereignty.
Alope Chicken Variety
An innovative and adaptive source of animal protein with strong competitiveness.
Modern Closed-House Livestock Management
The implementation of advanced technology to ensure efficiency and high productivity in food systems.
These innovations demonstrate how the university has successfully broken away from outdated approaches and adopted methods that are more relevant to industrial and societal needs.
Integrity and Self-Criticism: Beyond the Diploma
Closing his message, Prof JJ reminded graduates that degrees and diplomas are not the final destination of intellectual journeys. They are merely instruments for creating a more meaningful life.
For graduates entering an increasingly competitive professional world, he entrusted them with three essential pillars:
Maintaining Integrity
Character is the most valuable currency in professionalism. Without integrity, technical competence loses its meaning.
Courage for Self-Evaluation (Self-Criticism)
The ability to look inward and recognize one’s shortcomings is the first step toward growth.
Lifelong Learning
Learning does not stop when the graduation gown is removed; it is a lifelong journey.
The great hope placed upon the 981 Unhas graduates is that they will not merely become job seekers, but solution providers.
With the spirit of Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn, Unhas graduates are expected to navigate an uncertain future and transform challenges into opportunities that contribute meaningfully to national progress.
Editorial Desk