Pioneer of Dental Education in South Sulawesi
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Halimah Daeng Sikati stands as the foundational figure in the history of the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) at Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas).
Born in 1928, she transitioned from a specialized education in the United States to a career dedicated to transforming dental health in South Sulawesi.
Her legacy is defined by her tenacity in the face of bureaucratic resistance, her ability to leverage high-level diplomatic and military connections, and her willingness to utilize personal resources to establish healthcare infrastructure.
Key takeaways from her career include:
- Founding of FKG Unhas: She was the driving force behind the establishment of the faculty in 1983, serving as its first Dean.
- Infrastructure Development: She founded the Yos Sudarso Institute of Dentistry and established a Dental Hospital in Karebosi using personal funds.
- International Diplomacy: She successfully secured medical equipment through direct diplomacy with the Dutch monarchy.
- Public Service: She served two terms as the Head of the Provincial Dental Health Office, focusing on public education during an era when dental health was largely neglected.
Biographical Background and Education
Halimah Daeng Sikati was born on January 9, 1928, in Bulo-bulo, Sinjai. Her upbringing was rooted in a family that prioritized education and public service.
Family Influence: Her father was a teacher, and her mother was a strong Bugis Makassar figure. A significant influence was her uncle, Ahmad Siala, a politician for the Indonesian National Party (PNI), a member of the DPR/MPR RI, and a co-founder of the Unhas Faculty of Engineering.
Academic Path: Halimah earned her dentistry degree from Universitas Airlangga (Unair). She subsequently pursued a specialization in Oral Surgery at New York University, USA, from 1959 to 1960.
Commitment to the Homeland: Despite offers to teach in Surabaya following her studies in the U.S., Halimah chose to return to Makassar. This decision was motivated by family encouragement and the urging of the Governor of South Sulawesi at the time, Andi Pangerang Pettarani, who sought her expertise to address the region’s dental health challenges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XlesmV4G8M
Career Milestones and Public Health Advocacy
Upon her return to South Sulawesi, Halimah assumed leadership roles that allowed her to reshape the region’s health landscape.
|
Period |
Role/Achievement |
| 1960–1972 | Served two terms as Head of the Provincial Dental Health Office (Dinas Kesehatan Gigi). |
| 1966 | Joined Unhas as a lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine and served as Vice Dean I (Pembantu Dekan I). |
| 1969 | Founded the Yos Sudarso Institute of Dentistry. |
| 1983 | Appointed as the first Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) Unhas. |
| Final Tenure |
Head of International Cooperation at Unhas and board member of the Makassar National Education Foundation. |
During her tenure at the Provincial Health Office, she became known for her persistence in educating a public that had little access to or understanding of dental services.
The Establishment of the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG)
The creation of FKG Unhas was the result of Halimah’s unwavering resolve against significant administrative hurdles.
Resistance and Resolution
The central government initially rejected proposals for a dedicated Faculty of Dentistry, citing budgetary constraints. In response to this impasse, Halimah famously declared:
“If the center cannot build FKG, I will build it myself.”
Strategic Partnerships
Halimah utilized her extensive network to bypass official roadblocks:
Military and Political Support: Through her friendship with Laksamana Mursalin Dg. Mamangung (then Minister of Manpower), she secured the support of the Indonesian Navy to establish the Yos Sudarso Institute of Dentistry in 1969.
Institutional Evolution: The Yos Sudarso Institute was eventually integrated into Unhas as the Department of Dentistry under the Faculty of Medicine. By 1983, it achieved independent status as the Faculty of Dentistry.
International Diplomacy and Resource Management
Halimah Daeng Sikati’s impact extended beyond academic administration into infrastructure and international relations.
Personal Investment: Demonstrating a high degree of personal commitment, she used her own funds to establish a Dental Hospital in the Karebosi area of Makassar. While the site has since been converted into a hotel, it served as a critical facility during the faculty’s developmental years.
The “Dutch Connection”: Fluent in the Dutch language, Halimah leveraged this skill to secure medical equipment. During a transit stop at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, she spoke directly with Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
This interaction led to the Queen promising dental equipment aid, which Halimah later finalized by traveling to the Netherlands to oversee the arrangements.
Legacy and Commemoration
Halimah Daeng Sikati is remembered as a “woman warrior for dental education.”
Her contributions are physically commemorated at the Universitas Hasanuddin Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGM), where the main hall on the second floor is named the Aula Halimah Daeng Sikati. This hall serves as a symbol of her selfless dedication to the advancement of science, culture, and humanity in South Sulawesi.
Editor Denun
References:
https://dent.unhas.ac.id/
https://unhas.tv/mengenang-halimah-daeng-sikati-perempuan-pejuang-pendidikan-gigi-yang-mengukir-sejarah-unhas#google_vignette