ULM Rector Completes Three-Day Series of Activities in Kotabaru: Strengthening Human Resources, Regional Synergy, and Green Economy Commitment

Kotabaru – Prof. Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, SE., M.Sc., Rector of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), conducted a three-day working visit to Kotabaru from February 25–27, 2026. This activity demonstrated ULM’s commitment to strengthening synergy with the local government, improving the quality of human resources (HR), and promoting sustainable development based on a green economy.

Day One: Strengthening Relationships and Togetherness at PSDKU Kotabaru

Upon arrival in Kotabaru on Tuesday (February 25, 2026), the Rector and his entourage immediately met with students, lecturers, and educational staff of the Off-Campus Study Program (PSDKU) at ULM Kotabaru through a fast-breaking event.

This warm event was also attended by representatives from the local government. In addition to strengthening togetherness during Ramadan, this momentum also provides a space for dialogue between university leadership and the PSDKU academic community.

Currently, PSDKU ULM Kotabaru has 50 students spread across three study programs: Aquaculture, Agribusiness, and Special Education. The presence of PSDKU is a strategic solution considering the distance between Kotabaru and Banjarmasin is approximately 265 kilometers, with a travel time of approximately 6.5 hours by land and ferry. PSDKU was established to expand access to quality higher education while addressing regional development challenges, particularly in human resource development.

Day Two: Public Lecture: Superior Human Resources for a HEBAT Kotabaru

On Wednesday (February 26, 2026), the Rector delivered a public lecture in the Hall of the Kotabaru Regent’s Office, attended by 50 PSDKU students. Themed “Developing Superior Human Resources to Realize a HEBAT Kotabaru Regency (Harmonious, Energetic, United, Trustworthy, and Resilient),” the lecture emphasized the importance of human resources as a driving force for regional development.

In his presentation, the Rector stated that Kotabaru has strategic potential in the mining, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and creative industries sectors. Its geographic location along regional trade routes, supported by infrastructure and major investment plans, presents promising future opportunities.

However, these opportunities are also accompanied by challenges, such as a gap in skilled human resources oriented towards sustainable development, limited access to higher education, and the phenomenon of brain drain.

The Rector emphasized that ULM, through the PSDKU (National Student Empowerment Program), is part of the solution. It not only provides access to education but also builds a learning system relevant to local needs through problem-based learning, service learning, and blended learning.

Day Three: Mangrove Visit, Affirming Green Economy Commitment

On the final day, Thursday (February 27, 2026), the Rector visited a mangrove area managed by the Berkah Wasaka Mandiri Cooperative (KBWM) in the Pulau Laut District of Tanjung Selayar. Several villages visited included Tanjung Sungkai, Tanjung Pelayar, Oka-Oka, and Teluk Tamiang.

In Tanjung Sungkai Village, the Rector personally inspected mangrove seedlings cultivated collaboratively by ULM and the village community to restore the coastal ecosystem.

“Through this mangrove cultivation, ULM is making a significant contribution to supporting the government’s green economy policy and achieving the SDGs, while also preserving the environment for future generations,” said the Rector.

Going forward, ULM plans to develop an Indonesian tropical mangrove laboratory in Kotabaru as a multidisciplinary research center to address global environmental challenges.

This three-day series of activities emphasized ULM’s strategic role as a regional development partner. From strengthening student character and capacity, collaborating with the local government, to green economy-based mangrove management, all agendas are integrated into the campus’s vision for impact.

ULM’s presence in Kotabaru is not simply about expanding access to higher education, but also about building a learning ecosystem that is responsive to local needs and oriented towards sustainable development.

Through continuously strengthened synergy, ULM and the Kotabaru Regency Government are optimistic about producing a superior next generation with character, ready to lead Kotabaru towards a GREAT and globally competitive future.