The International Office of Universitas Hasanuddin organized a seminar entitled “Alfred Russel Wallace – The Hero’s Journey in Southeast Asia” at Mattulada Hall, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin, Monday (5/9).
Alfred Russel Wallace, whose name is honored as one of the discoverers of the theory of natural selection, was a naturalist, explorer, anthropologist, and biologist. He also produced an imaginary line dividing Indonesia’s flora and fauna known as the Wallace line. In the 19th century, Alfred Russel Wallace managed to discover 150,000 species through very simple technology. The question remains unanswered. This problem can be answered when researchers and academics model previous researchers. The importance of emulating previous researchers aims to build an independent academic attitude and strong determination in conducting research.
For your information, Alfred Russel Wallace, whose name is immortalized as one of the discoverers of the theory of natural selection, was a naturalist, explorer, anthropologist, and biologist. He also produced an imaginary line dividing Indonesia’s flora and fauna known as the Wallace line.
Hosted by the Secretary of the Unhas International Office, Muhammad Ridwan SS MA, this activity was opened by Vice Rector for Partnership, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business, Prof. Dr. Eng Adi Maulana ST MPhill.
Paul Spencer Sochowski was present as a speaker who is a writer, environmental consultant, and communication consultant for an international non-governmental organization (NGO), namely WWF International. A French-American man who has lived in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand for a long time, most of his works have Southeast Asian themes.
“This is not my first time in Makassar, I have previously presented at a conference at Unhas, I have lived in Indonesia for a long time,” Sochowski said in English.
Sochowski is particularly interested in Asian stories that defy Western Cartesian logic. He is the author of more than 600 articles and 19 books, mostly on the environment, culture and development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. As a conservationist he is also very closely associated with the thought of Alfred Russel Wallace, so it was a great opportunity to get to know Alfred Russel Wallace more closely through Paul Spencer Sochaczeski.