FKM Unhas Introduces Nature-Based Clean Water Innovation in Barru
As part of its commitment to the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly community service, the Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM) of Universitas Hasanuddin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Public Health’s Coastal Domestic Water Research Group (CDWRG), conducted a community engagement program in Cilellang Village, Mallusetasi District, Barru Regency, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The program, themed “Application of Clean Water Treatment through Natural Coagulation-Filtration Processes,” was led by Dr. Agus Bintara Birawida, S.Kel., M.Kes., along with team members Prof. Anwar Daud, SKM., M.Kes., and Dr. Sri Handayani, S.Km., M.Kes. All three are permanent lecturers at the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Hasanuddin, with extensive expertise in environmental health, particularly in clean water management, sanitation, and community-based health promotion. Cilellang Village was selected based on the community’s urgent need for access to safe drinking water. The available water sources in the area are generally turbid, discolored, and have an unpleasant odor, highlighting the need for an immediate and sustainable water treatment solution. The activity began with educational sessions on the importance of clean water and its impact on public health, followed by a hands-on demonstration of a simple, nature-based water treatment system. The introduced method used Moringa oleifera seeds as a natural coagulant to bind impurities, followed by filtration through layers of activated carbon, pumice stone, and silica sand—significantly improving the water’s clarity and quality. At the end of the session, the water treatment unit was handed over to the community and village representatives, symbolizing support for local water management autonomy. This initiative not only provided a practical solution for clean water access but also aligned with national development goals and contributed directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. By introducing a low-cost, easy-to-operate technology that utilizes locally available materials, LPPM Unhas and CDWRG are supporting key SDG 6 targets—improving safe water access, reducing water pollution, and enhancing community capacity for independent water management. It also serves as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and to build resilience against future water crises. More than just a technology transfer, this program reflects a concrete effort to address real community needs through scientific, collaborative, and culturally rooted approaches. Universitas Hasanuddin and CDWRG remain committed to empowering communities and fostering healthy, sustainable environments through ongoing engagement and innovation.
FKM Unhas Deploys Students for Field Practice (PBL 1) in Soppeng Regency: A Strong Commitment to Community Engagement
Makassar, July 10, 2025 – The Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Hasanuddin (FKM Unhas) once again demonstrates its commitment to educating students who are ready to serve the community. Held at the FKM Unhas campus, a send-off ceremony was conducted for students participating in the Field-Based Learning (PBL) 1 program, which will take place in Soppeng Regency from July 14 to 28, 2025. This program involves students from the 2023 cohort who are currently in their fourth semester. A total of 36 villages and urban communities across eight subdistricts—Marioriwawo, Liliriaja, Lilirilau, Lalabata, Donri-Donri, Marioriawa, Ganra, and Citta—will serve as fieldwork locations. To ensure academic guidance, 36 lecturers from various departments within FKM Unhas will participate as supervisors, directly mentoring students throughout their fieldwork activities. The PBL 1 Committee Chair, Mr. Dian Saputra Marzuki, S.KM., M.Kes., who also serves as a lecturer in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, explained that this activity is an essential part of the academic curriculum. It is designed to train students to identify public health problems in real-world settings and to systematically determine appropriate priorities for intervention. “PBL 1 serves as a crucial bridge between classroom theories and field realities. Students not only learn how to identify health issues, but also how to engage ethically and professionally with the community,” he stated. During the briefing session, students were encouraged and reminded to uphold ethical conduct, integrity, and professionalism during their field assignments. The Dean of FKM Unhas emphasized that this activity is part of the institution’s continuous efforts to produce high-quality graduates who are socially responsive and capable of making meaningful contributions to society. The PBL 1 program also reflects FKM Unhas’ support for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” By strengthening student capacities in understanding and addressing public health issues, FKM Unhas actively contributes to achieving global development goals. With a spirit of dedication, FKM Unhas deploys its students to work directly with communities—not only as part of their academic training, but also as a tangible institutional contribution toward improving community well-being through a community-based public health approach.