Q1. AS THE RECTOR OF HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY, AND PERHAPS THE YOUNGEST AMONGST YOUR PEERS IN INDONESIA, WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN RUNNING A COMPLEX ORGANISATION LIKE A UNIVERSITY?
I was recently reappointed as the Rector for the second term from 2018-2022. I am proud to share that Universitas Hasanuddin has entered the Asia University Rankings. The next challenge is now to work towards the modernisation of the university to achieve ‘world-class’ university ranking status in the next 4 years.
Universitas Hasanuddin is a state-owned university and is one of the largest autonomous universities in the country. Out of 130 state-owned universities in Indonesia, only 11 (including Universitas Hasanudin) have been granted such legal status or entity.
Managing a university towards achieving a world-class status is indeed a complex and challenging task. Universities not only impart education, but also play an active role in the enhancement of knowledge through the empowerment of research. This involves balancing of resources and the appropriate allocation of manpower.
Working towards achieving world-class status also requires managing the university in a very professional manner. Hence, the first priority of the university is to focus on modernizing its management and administration. This include having in placed a merit-based human resources management system that supports the 2,500 lecturers/researchers and 2,000 employees whom are currently employed at the university.
In the academic space, we will strive to improve the learning environment by promoting excellence among our teaching staff and some 35,000 students enrolled here. This requires creating an academic atmosphere that encourages and enables both academicians and students to produce high quality work and enhance their academic productivity through increased in the number of research and publications, innovation, and patents. We also hope to have more alumni who can compete globally.
THE SUCCESS OF THE CONFERENCE AND THE OVERWHELMED INTEREST FOR SHARI’A-BASED ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SERVICES HAS ENCOURAGED US TO CONDUCT MORE RESEARCHES FOR THE SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
Q2. HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY IS NOT VERY WELL KNOWN OUTSIDE INDONESIA. PLEASE SHARE WITH OUR GLOBAL READERSHIP ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY.
Universitas Hasanuddin was established in 1956 and is located in the city of Makassar, Sulawesi Island, Eastern Indonesia; which is rich in flora and fauna. This area is surrounded by islands and seas, and is the source of maritime products for Indonesia and the world.
Over more than sixty years since its establishment, the university has developed a range of faculties and degree programmes, including centers of excellence. Among our leading centres of excellence are the Marine Station, which is a center for marine research and cultivation on a small island near the city of Makassar; the Tropical Diseases Research Center, which is managed by the Medical Team and has published researches and discovered vaccines; and the Center of Microfinance, which is the center of research and training for micro and small enterprises.
Innovations in the field of engineering are generated from the Jusuf Kalla Center of Technology. Through this centre, the university has developed specially designed ships for seaweed fishermen as well as flat plate steel vessels.
Through our reliable researchers and modern research facilities, we have established a number of international partnerships with numerous institutions worldwide.
We also have a Teaching Forest, covering an area of 1,300 hectare where its rich heritage of flora and fauna makes it an ideal environment for research. The Training Forest is equipped with facilities and accommodation for researchers.
The university currently offers some 140 programmes; which include undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programme where some of them are internationally accredited.
Our programmes are offered through 15 faculties and one postgraduate school with teaching being facilitated by experienced lecturers. 80% of our teaching faculties have doctorate degrees and 300 of them are professors. In terms of exchange student programme, our summer programmes have received growing interest from foreign students who are interested to learn the national language as well as the maritime culture.
Q3. HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY HOSTED AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND FINANCE IN JULY THIS YEAR.
DID THE CONFERENCE ACHIEVED THE EXPECTED OUTCOME YOU DESIRED?
The International Conference on Islamic Economic and Finance, which was hosted by Universitas Hasanuddin in collaboration with IRTI-IDB, was a successful scientific meeting.
I was excited to see how the delegates were as fascinated as I was about the potentials of a Shari’a-based economy.
The success of the conference and the overwhelmed interest for Shari’a-based economic and financial services has encouraged us to conduct more researches for the scientific development of Islamic economics and finance. This ultimately can be the basis for innovative forms of economic and financial services, especially for Indonesia where 90% of the population are Muslims. On another note, the development of digital-based information technology have the potential to further spur the outreach of Islamic economic and financial services in Indonesia.
MY ASPIRATION IS THAT IN FUTURE, THE ALUMNI OF OUR ISLAMIC ECONOMICS PROGRAMME WILL BE THE DRIVING FORCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND FINANCE IN INDONESIA.
Q4. YOUR UNIVERSITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF LAUNCHING A DEGREE PROGRAMME IN ISLAMIC ECONOMICS, BANKING AND FINANCE. CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE SOME DETAILS WITH US?
Universitas Hasanuddin will soon offer a Bachelorand Master of Sharia Economics Study Programme in the Faculty of Economics and Business. There is very high interest amongst Indonesians to study in this field. Moreover, the Centre of Micro Finance at the university will jointly carry out education, training, and research in the field of Islamic economics. My aspiration is that in future, the alumni of our Islamic economics programme will be the driving force for the development of Islamic economics and finance in Indonesia. I am delighted to share that the Islamic Economics Study Programme at the Universitas Hasanuddin will be supported by IRTI-IDB.
Q5. LET US REVERT TO A PERSONAL QUESTION. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOBBY AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
I enjoy reading and exercising. Reading broadens the mind, stimulates thinking and improves your knowledge. I love books and I read all kinds of books from scientific to novels. I am also into sports especially jogging, yoga, and swimming. I try my best whenever possible to start my morning with either jogging or yoga. Exercising to me is not just about being healthy, it is also an expression of gratitude to Allah swt for giving me good health.
Q6. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY OF PROF. DR. DWIA TINA PULUBUHU? HOW DOES YOUR DAY STARTS AND ENDS? WHAT IS IN BETWEEN?
My typical day as the Rector/President of Universitas Hasanuddin starts at 9 am in the office and I normally reach home by 7 pm. Despite by busy schedule, I try my best to have dinner with my husband and my children and spend quality time with them. Shared family time at the dinner table is important as it helps to strengthen relationship between family members as well as promotes healthy communication and the spirit of togetherness.
When on holidays, my husband and I would visit our grandchildren who are living in different cities. One of my grandchildren lives in Amsterdam together with his parents, as his mother (my daughter) is currently pursuing her doctoral study there.
Whenever I am on campus, I would take the opportunity to visit the university grounds and its infrastructure. Universitas Hasanudin has a huge campus that extends to an area of 220 hectares with numerous buildings and many facilities. Regular inspection and maintenance is essential to ensure proper functioning of existing infrastructure and facilities. As such, I make it a priority to carry out the inspections myself rather than just relying on reports given to me.
In addition to carrying out my duty as a Rector, I am still actively teaching at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences where I am a Professor of Sociology in the field of conflict resolution.
I am also actively involved in many associations. I was appointed as the chairman of the Forum of Indonesian Rectors, and am also the Chair of the Indonesian Sociology Association. My involvement in these associations and organizations often requires me to travel both domestically and abroad.
Q7. HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY HOSTED AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND FINANCE IN JULY THIS YEAR.
DID THE CONFERENCE ACHIEVED THE EXPECTED OUTCOME YOU DESIRED?
There is huge potential for Islamic economics, banking and finance in Indonesia given the large Muslim population in the country. There is already a strong and growing demand for Islamic financial products and services. I believe that over time increased awareness and public education would drive up the demand further and the sector would eventually become the key driver of Indonesia’s economic growth.
Islamic banking and finance in Indonesia is increasingly gaining popularity. Over the years, we have seen increased number of the poor and destitute benefitting from the many CSR assistance received through zakat funds. Similarly, increasingly amount of zakat funds are now channelled for educational development.
In Indonesia, micro and small enterprises are the backbone of the country’s economy. Nevertheless, limited access to finance remains one of the main obstacles to their growth. Historically, micro and small enterprises have struggled to gain reliable access to capital. Hence, providing significant potential for Islamic finance in the micro and SME sectors.
I BELIEVE THAT ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE WILL EMERGE AS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN SHAPING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF GLOBAL FINANCE.
Q8. ISFIRE HAS COME TO KNOW THAT UNIVERSITAS HASANUDDIN IS IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP AN ISLAMIC CREDIT UNION. THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL STEP BY A UNIVERSITY. HOW DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT? WHAT OBJECTIVES ARE YOU EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE FROM THIS LATEST INITIATIVE?
Our campus currently provides services to micro and small enterprises through the Center of Micro Finance in collaboration with Bank Rakyat Indonesia or BRI, which is a state owned bank. The centre provides training, education, business mentoring as well as technical support to ensure product standardisation, enhanced product quality as well as product marketing. The centre also provides micro and small enterprises access to micro credit and micro finance services from Islamic banks. The university also have plans to establish a Shari’a- based Rural Bank (BPR), which would ensure that the community is served directly and comprehensively as part of the university’s social responsibility initiatives.
Q9. HOW CAN THE ROLE OF WOMEN BE IMPROVED IN ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE? AS RECTOR OF HASANUDDIN UNIVERSITY WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE TO DEVELOP WOMEN INTO EFFECTIVE LEADERS FOR ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE?
In Asian societies, women play a pivotal role as financial manager in their household. Similarly, women in Indonesia hold a great deal of economic decision- making power in the family, where they have traditionally taken a lead role in financial management of the household.
Yet women often lack access to formal methods for managing cash flows. This makes women and their families vulnerable to economic shocks.
The development of Islamic economics and finance must take into account the economic role of women in the society. Hence, promotion of financial literacy through targeted financial education programmes, would enable women to develop skills in household financial management that could potentially lead to empowerment and subsequently, better household financial decisions.
Education is an essential means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to fully participate in the development process. In my capacity as the Rector of Universitas Hasanuddin, I see my role not just in developing the next generation of female leaders for the Islamic finance industry but also as a role model and mentor to all young graduates.
Q10. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE FOR THE YOUTH WHO ASPIRE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE?
I believe that Islamic banking and finance will emerge as a force to be reckoned with in shaping the future development of global finance. So there are many opportunities for a career in this sector, for both men and women. For the millennial generation who grew up in the era of digital technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), a career in Islamic economic and finance will be a strategic choice.
