Prof. Dr. Andi Ilham Latunra, M.Si. Officially Inaugurated as Professor in the Field of Plant Biotechnology

Hasanuddin University has once again added to its ranks of top academics by appointing Prof. Dr. Andi Ilham Latunra, M.Si. as Professor in the field of Plant Biotechnology on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The inauguration ceremony was solemn and meaningful, attended by the academic community, family, and invited guests from various institutions.

In his scientific speech entitled “Molecular DNA Analysis and In Vitro Culture Towards Food Sovereignty in 2030,” Prof. Dr. Andi Ilham Latunra, M.Si. said that various leading agricultural commodities, including coffee plants, are now facing serious threats due to global climate change. He warned that rising global temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and increasingly difficult-to-control pest and disease outbreaks could lead to the genetic extinction of several local coffee varieties that are the pride of Indonesia.

In this context, Prof. Dr. Andi Ilham Latunra, M.Si. emphasized that science and technology are the last line of defense in facing the climate crisis and preserving the sustainability of biological resources. Through molecular DNA analysis, scientists can identify and preserve superior genes from plants that are adaptive to extreme environmental pressures. Meanwhile, in vitro culture enables the efficient preservation and propagation of germplasm without having to rely on field conditions.

He also highlighted the global challenges facing the agricultural world, ranging from limited fertile land, dependence on imported varieties, to unequal access to the latest technology. According to him, only through cross-disciplinary collaboration and strengthening biotechnology research can Indonesia maintain its biodiversity potential while realizing sustainable food sovereignty by 2030.

This inauguration is an important moment not only for Prof. Dr. Andi Ilham Latunra, M.Si. personally, but also for the Department of Biology at Hasanuddin University and the scientific community at large, particularly in strengthening contributions in the field of plant biotechnology. Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Andi Ilham Latunra, M.Si. for this remarkable achievement. May the scientific mandate entrusted to him contribute significantly to the development of science and environmental sustainability in Indonesia.

Author: Nenis Sardiani, S.Si., M.Si.