Makassar, October 22, 2026 — The International Office of UIN Alauddin Makassar highlighted opportunities for academic cooperation and student development through a discussion between UIN Alauddin Makassar and American Corner Makassar. The meeting, held on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), discussed several possible programs, including studies on the United States and internship opportunities for students.
The meeting took place in the meeting room on the second floor of the PUSTIPAD Building, Campus II of UIN Alauddin Makassar. During the meeting, the Rector of UIN Alauddin Makassar, Prof. Hamdan Juhannis, expressed his hope that an American Corner could be established on campus. He explained that UIN Alauddin had strong academic potential to develop studies on the United States through various fields, including International Relations, Political Science, and Communication Studies.
The university’s diverse academic fields, including science, medicine, engineering, economics, and Islamic studies, offered opportunities to learn about the United States from different academic perspectives. The establishment of an American Corner on campus was expected to improve access to information, learning resources, and academic activities related to the United States.
Ryzkian Pratama, Regional Coordinator of American Spaces for Eastern Indonesia, explained that the visit aimed to discuss possible programs between American Corner and UIN Alauddin. One of the main goals was to increase student involvement so that students could not only participate in activities but also gain practical experience in organizing and running programs.
Courtney J. Woods from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya also emphasized the importance of access to accurate information about the United States, including its people and religious diversity. She explained that American Corner could serve as a place where people could access information and learn about educational opportunities.
Abdul Hakim, Director of American Corner Makassar, also shared the experience of Julia, an International Relations student at UIN Alauddin Makassar who was taking part in an internship at American Corner as a student ambassador. Through the program, Julia helped introduce American Corner to schools. She also worked as an event host and developed her communication and public speaking skills.
This experience showed how student involvement in programs with other institutions could provide learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Through internships and active participation, students could develop professional skills, gain experience, and prepare themselves for an increasingly global working environment.
In addition to internship programs, American Corner Makassar introduced several learning resources for students and lecturers. These included access to international journals through Elsevier, the USA e-library, and information and guidance on educational opportunities, including essay preparation.
In response to these opportunities, the Vice Rector for Cooperation and Institutional Development of UIN Alauddin Makassar, Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Amri, welcomed the proposed collaboration. He explained that the ideas discussed would be followed up and aligned with the university’s work programs and possible activity plans. More effective program implementation was planned for 2027, while communication and discussions about potential cooperation could continue beforehand.
For the development of UIN Alauddin Makassar’s academic network, the discussion opened opportunities to make wider use of educational programs and resources. These opportunities also supported efforts to improve students’ learning experiences through direct involvement in academic activities, knowledge exchange, and cooperation between institutions.
The International Office of UIN Alauddin Makassar viewed the development of international networks and access to global opportunities as important parts of preparing students for an international environment. In the future, the proposed collaboration was expected to develop into programs that provided real benefits for students and the wider academic community of UIN Alauddin Makassar.
