UNHAS International Office Forges Strategic Alliance with Selayar Regency for International Cultural Program 2026
The International Office (IO) Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) has officially commenced the foundational phase for the International Cultural Program (ICP) 2026 by conducting an extensive three-days working visit to Selayar Island from 7 to 9 February 2026. This mission served a dual purpose: to evaluate the island’s logistical and aesthetic suitability for international participants and to secure high-level administrative synergy with the Selayar local Government.
The International Office (IO) Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) has officially commenced the foundational phase for the International Cultural Program (ICP) 2026 by conducting an extensive three-days working visit to Selayar Island from 7 to 9 February 2026. This mission served a dual purpose: to evaluate the island’s logistical and aesthetic suitability for international participants and to secure high-level administrative synergy with the Selayar local Government.
The delegation, led by Khaeruddin, Ph.D. (IO Task Force) alongside a specialized team including Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S., Muhammad Anugerah,S.I.Kom, Cahya Ramadhani,S.I.Kom, Erizal Zhafran Muyazzar Edison,S.I.Kom., and Risty Juliani (Staff), dedicated the weekend to an intensive survey of the region’s premier destinations. On Saturday and Sunday (7-8 February), the team visited Baloiya Beach, Sunari, Norsyia and Museum, assessing their potential as primary hubs for cultural workshops and maritime activities. Simultaneously, a technical sub-team explored the Pasik Gusung area, specifically focusing on the local mangrove ecosystem. This assessment is vital for the International Cultural Program (ICP)’s recurring themes of sustainability and maritime heritage, ensuring that the 2026 curriculum can offer hands-on environmental education to global students.
The diplomatic highlight of the visit occurred on Monday, 9 February 2026, at the Selayar local government office. The UNHAS delegation was received by Assistant 1 and Assistant 2, representing the local leadership. Demonstrating the regency’s serious commitment to the program, the meeting was attended by a comprehensive assembly of department heads (Tourism and Culture, Maritime and Fisheries, Transportation, Health, and Environmental Affairs) as well as local environmental activists.
The discussions were highly collaborative, with local officials providing specific recommendations on how to integrate Selayar’s unique “Community-Based Tourism” (CBT) and its rich maritime history into the ICP 2026 agenda. The Selayar Regency Government expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that such international exposure is essential for the region’s long-term tourism branding.While the local government has signalled their endorsement, the delegation’s findings and the meeting’s outcomes will be formally reported to the Regent of Selayar, who was traveling during the visit.
This partnership aligns with UNHAS’s broader mission of internationalization, bringing global perspectives to local communities while showcasing South Sulawesi’s cultural heritage to the world. The visit concluded with a formal exchange of souvenirs and a group photo session, marking the official start to ensure that Selayar will become a world-class host for international students and cultural ambassadors in ICP 2026.