FIB Unhas — Morowali, Central Sulawesi, is no longer just the national center of gravity for nickel downstreaming. For the academic world, this region has transformed into a real-world laboratory where theory meets industrial practice. It was this spirit of “link and match” that the delegation from Hasanuddin University (Unhas) brought during their two-day working visit from February 4 to 5, 2026.
Amidst the hum of massive industrial activity, a strategic agreement was born. The Vice-Rector for Partnership, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Business, Prof. Dr. Eng. Adi Maulana, S.T., M.Phil., together with the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Prof. Dr. Andi Muhammad Akhmar, S.S., M.Hum., were present in person to formalize the synergy with PT Shuoshi Indonesia Investment.
This visit was not merely ceremonial. The main agenda was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hasanuddin University and PT Shuoshi. This step reaffirms Unhas’s position as increasingly responsive to global labor market demands, particularly in strategic industrial sectors involving foreign investment.
PT Shuoshi Indonesia Investment is no small player. As part of the business giant Zhenshi Holding Group, the company operates nickel-iron smelting production lines using Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) technology. Its annual capacity reaches 1.05 million tons, a figure that demands high work discipline and precise operations.
The company produces and exports ferronickel to China, supporting the global steel supply chain. In this context, the role of language and cultural understanding becomes crucial. The presence of high technology cannot operate seamlessly without effective communication between Chinese experts and the local workforce. This is where FIB Unhas students take on a vital role.
The highlight of this meeting was the signing of the Scholarship Funding and Service Agreement between PT Shuoshi Indonesia Investment and four students from the Mandarin Language and Chinese Culture Study Program (BMKT) at FIB Unhas.
The four selected students are Queen Azizah Akmal, Andi Sah Alam Paris, Elia Parerung Tandi Datu, and Nur Pratiwi. In this agreement, FIB Unhas participates as the Third Party. This role places the faculty as a facilitator and overseer obligated to assist the students in academic aspects, ensuring they can complete their studies successfully while preparing to dive into the industrial world.
“The faculty’s involvement in this agreement is a form of moral and academic responsibility. We are here to ensure that our students receive not only financial support but also appropriate academic assistance should they encounter obstacles during their studies and subsequent service bond,” said Prof. Andi Muhammad Akhmar on the sidelines of the event.
This move is considered strategic. The industry in Morowali requires human resources who understand technical aspects while also being capable of bridging work culture differences between Indonesia and China. With these scholarships, PT Shuoshi is not only investing in education funds but is also molding ready-to-work professional candidates.
Through this collaboration, FIB Unhas once again demonstrates that campus walls should not limit its students. Instead, the campus must serve as a gateway leading them to great opportunities out there—including at the world’s nickel industrial center in Morowali.
