Towards World-Class Academia, Faculty of Engineering UNHAS Lecturers Achieve Excellence through the 2026 PKBI and Talent Scouting Programs
Makassar – The Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) has once again achieved an outstanding accomplishment at the national level. Two lecturers from the Faculty of Engineering have been selected for the 2026 English Language Proficiency Enhancement Program (PKBI) and the 2026 Talent Scouting Program, organized by the Directorate of Human Resources, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) of the Republic of Indonesia.
This achievement is particularly significant as the two Hasanuddin University representatives selected for the 2026 Talent Scouting Program are both from the Faculty of Engineering.
The two lecturers are Ir. Muhammad Irfan, S.T., M.Sc., a lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, who was selected for both the PKBI and Talent Scouting Programs, and Dianti Utamidewi, S.T., M.T., a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, who was selected for the 2026 Talent Scouting Program.
This achievement reflects the Faculty of Engineering's commitment to developing highly capable human resources with global competitiveness. Amid the growing internationalization of higher education, strengthening lecturer competencies is an important factor in improving the quality of teaching, research, and academic networks with universities around the world.
The Talent Scouting Program is one of Kemdiktisaintek's strategic initiatives designed to prepare lecturers and education staff to pursue postgraduate studies, particularly doctoral programs, both in Indonesia and abroad. The program goes beyond providing information about scholarships by equipping participants through a series of workshops, webinars, focus group discussions (FGDs), research proposal development sessions, and motivation letter preparation, which are essential components of the application process for further study at internationally reputable universities.
Meanwhile, the English Language Proficiency Enhancement Program (PKBI) is designed to strengthen lecturers' academic English skills as preparation for postgraduate study requirements and international academic activities. English proficiency is an essential competency for publishing in reputable academic journals, conducting cross-border research collaborations, and communicating in international academic forums. Through this program, participants receive intensive training to improve their English proficiency in accordance with international standards.
The selection process for both programs was highly competitive, taking into account various factors, including administrative requirements, academic track records, career development potential, and participants' readiness to undertake the full series of training activities organized by Kemdiktisaintek. Participants selected for the Talent Scouting Program will subsequently take part in webinars, research proposal development assistance, mentoring sessions with experts, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as part of their preparation for further study.
For the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University, this achievement represents more than an individual accomplishment; it is also a long-term investment in improving the quality of higher education. Lecturers who have the opportunity to participate in national capacity-building programs are expected to bring back valuable experience, knowledge, and international networks that can contribute to improvements in teaching quality, research productivity, technological innovation, and collaboration with institutions in Indonesia and abroad.
The participation of lecturers in professional development programs is also aligned with the Faculty of Engineering's vision of strengthening a research-, innovation-, and solution-oriented academic culture in addressing various development challenges. By enhancing human resource capacity, the Faculty can produce more research that is relevant to the needs of society and industry while supporting Hasanuddin University's internationalization goals.
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ir. Muhammad Isran Ramli, S.T., M.T., IPM., AER., expressed his appreciation for the achievements of the two lecturers. According to him, this success reflects the continuously developing quality of human resources within the Faculty of Engineering and their ability to compete at the national level.
“We congratulate Ir. Muhammad Irfan and Dianti Utamidewi on this achievement. We hope that the opportunity to participate in the PKBI and Talent Scouting Programs will provide valuable experience for enhancing their academic competencies, expanding international networks, and producing innovations and research that make tangible contributions to society. The Faculty of Engineering will continue to encourage and support lecturers in taking advantage of various capacity-building programs as part of our efforts to achieve excellence and global competitiveness in higher education,” said Prof. Isran.
Looking ahead, the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University hopes that more lecturers will take advantage of capacity-building programs organized by the government and international partners. With continuous improvements in lecturer quality, the Faculty expects to foster more innovations, high-impact publications, and research collaborations capable of addressing various development challenges and further strengthening the position of the Faculty of Engineering at Hasanuddin University as a leading engineering education institution at both the national and international levels.