UNHAS Prepares to Launch Arabic Language and Middle Eastern Studies Center

The Directorate of Partnership held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) regarding the official opening of the Center for Arabic Language and Middle Eastern Studies at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) on Thursday, 27 November 2025, from 5:00 PM until the end of the session. The event took place at the Vice Rector IV Meeting Room, 6th Floor, Rectorate Building.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Ing. Adi Maulana, S.T., M.Phil, widely known as Prof. Adi, emphasized that the development of the Center has reached 80% completion. He also stated that the personnel structure involved in managing the Center has been identified, and for the time being, the Center remains under his direct supervision. Prof. Adi added that in the future, the Center will offer Arabic language courses not only for the UNHAS academic community but also for the general public in Makassar.

Participants of the FGD included Ansariadi, Ph.D. (Director of Partnership), Haeruddin, M.A. (Head of Arabic Language Study Program), Muhammad Ridwan, M.A. (Secretary of the International Office), and Fadlan Ahmad, M.Si (Head of Center). Also in attendance were Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Munir, M.Eng., Ir. Masyhur Syafiuddin, representatives of the UNHAS Ikhtiar Mosque Management, and the Imam of UNHAS Mosque.

During the discussion, Mr. Ansariadi shared that Prof. Nahla, Advisor to the President of Al Azhar University, Egypt, is scheduled to visit UNHAS in early February next year to officially launch the Center. As known, the establishment of the Center is part of the collaboration between UNHAS and Al Azhar University. He further explained that the Center will serve as a Training Hub for Arabic Language Teaching, aiming to achieve international accreditation while expanding research funding opportunities with universities across the Middle East.

Mr. Ansariadi also highlighted that the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh has released a list of Saudi Arabian universities interested in establishing cooperation and collaboration with Indonesian universities. The FGD concluded shortly before Maghrib prayer with great expectations that the Center will operate smoothly and achieve long-term success.