FISIP Unhas Guest Lecture Presents Ethical Leadership Expert from MARA Technology University*
Makassar – The Department of Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Hasanuddin University (Unhas), in collaboration with the Indonesian Association for Public Administration (IAPA) DPD South West Sulawesi (Sulselbar), successfully held a guest lecture entitled Fostering Ethical Leadership in Governance: Strategies for Building Trust and Accountability on Wednesday, 19/2). The activity, which took place online via Zoom, presented Dr. Thenmolli Vadaveloo, a senior lecturer from the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia, as the main resource person. This guest lecture was moderated by Regina Samudra, S.AP., M.Si, a young researcher from the Public Policy and Management Research Laboratory (LRKMP), Department of Administrative Sciences, Unhas.
In his presentation, Dr. Thenmolli emphasized the importance of ethical leadership in organizations, both in the public and private sectors. He explained that ethical leaders must prioritize integrity and be role models in the organization. Based on the results of his research, he revealed how the Malaysian Government is committed to strengthening administrative ethics by forming ethical leaders. As a hierarchical society, strengthening accountability and enforcing organizational ethics in Malaysia is largely determined by its leaders.
Dr. Thenmolli shares four key strategies to strengthen ethical leadership. First, leaders must be role models for their subordinates. Second, the importance of promoting ethical leadership through systematic training. Third, the need to develop a clear and measurable ethical framework. Finally, encouraging an accountable and transparent system to build trust within the organization.
After the presentation session, the activity continued with an interactive question-and-answer session. Lecturers and students of the Unhas Public Administration Master's Program asked various questions that enriched the discussion on the implementation of ethical leadership in the government and private sectors.
Prof. Alwi, as the Head of the Department, explained that "With this guest lecture, it is hoped that students' insight into ethical leadership will continue to develop and can be applied in public administration practices in Indonesia". Furthermore, Dr. Muhammad Tang Abdullah as the Secretary of the Department, added that "this guest lecture is part of the routine program of the Department of Administrative Sciences, Unhas, which is held every semester by presenting academics and researchers from internationally reputable partner universities. In previous years, the invited speakers came from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand."
Dr. Gita Susanti, as the Head of the Master of Public Administration Program, Unhas, also explained that this activity is part of the commitment of the study program that has been internationally accredited by FIBAA and AUN QA certificates so that it routinely carries out international-level activities by inviting researchers from overseas campuses. This can certainly be a learning medium for students in comparing the application of knowledge and practices from Indonesia and other countries, he added. This activity was attended by undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Department of Administrative Sciences, Unhas, as well as lecturers and researchers from various universities that are members of IAPA Sulselbar.