On the Path to Graduate School, UNM’s Graduate School Uses UNHAS’s Graduate School as a Benchmarking Reference
MAKASSAR — The Graduate School of Hasanuddin University (SPs UNHAS) received a benchmarking working visit from the Postgraduate Program of Universitas Negeri Makassar (PPs UNM) on Wednesday (Oct. 7). The visit was conducted to strengthen PPs UNM's institutional capacity toward the establishment of the UNM Graduate School, while also serving as a platform for both institutions to exchange experiences regarding postgraduate institutional management and development.
The PPs UNM delegation was led by the Deputy Director for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Risma Niswaty, S.S., M.Si., alongside the Deputy Director for Finance and General Affairs, Prof. Dr. Nurhikmah H., S.Pd., M.Si., the Head of the Quality Assurance Unit, Dr. Hajerah, S.Pd.I., M.Pd., and Dr. Mukhlisin, S.Pd., M.Pd., Secretary of the Quality Assurance Unit at the Postgraduate Program.
The visit was welcomed by the leadership of SPs UNHAS, including the Dean of SPs UNHAS, Prof. Dr. Sukri Palutturi, SKM., M.Kes., M.Sc.PH., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nadiarti, M.Sc., Vice Dean for Planning and Resources, Dr. Ir. Syahriadi Kadir, M.Si., Vice Dean for Partnership, Research, and Innovation, Prof. Dr. dr. Marhaen Hardjo, M.Biomed., and the Head of the Quality Assurance and Reputation Enhancement Task Force (GPM-PR), Prof. Dr. Tuti Bahfiarti, S.Sos., M.Si.
In his remarks, the Dean of SPs UNHAS, Prof. Sukri Palutturi, warmly welcomed the benchmarking visit. According to him, the meeting between the two institutions provides an opportunity to learn from one another and share experiences in the development of postgraduate education institutions.
"It is wonderful that the UNM Postgraduate Program is visiting the UNHAS Graduate School. Your presence here is a form of mutual learning. Everyone is a source of learning; no one is higher, and no one is lower. It is more about experience—some have more experience, while others have less," said Prof. Sukri.
This benchmarking visit is part of PPs UNM's process in gaining references regarding the management of a Graduate School, covering academic aspects, governance, quality assurance, partnerships, and academic reputation development.
On this occasion, SPs UNHAS also shared several experiences and institutional practices it has developed. One of these relates to the Thematic Research Group as part of strengthening the research ecosystem and academic collaboration within the university.
SPs UNHAS also has experience in developing international academic networks, including the involvement of foreign lecturers in academic activities. Currently, SPs UNHAS has two foreign lecturers from Australia who actively support the development of academic activities and international networking.
Meanwhile, representatives from PPs UNM expressed their appreciation for the warm reception and the opportunity to share experiences provided by SPs UNHAS. During the meeting, it was conveyed that UNHAS serves as one of the key motivators for university development in Sulawesi, making the experience possessed by SPs UNHAS an important reference in strengthening PPs UNM's institutional capacity.
Through this visit, SPs UNHAS and PPs UNM not only exchanged information on institutional governance but also strengthened inter-institutional relations through a spirit of collaboration and mutual learning. The meeting is expected to open broader communication channels for the development of academic and institutional cooperation in the future.