Before the official establishment of Hasanuddin University in 1956, the Faculty of Economics as a branch of the Faculty of Economics of Indonesian University was established in Makassar in 1947. This establishment was based on the Decree of Lieutenant General Governor of the Dutch-Hindian Government No. 127 on July 23rd, 1947. Due to its uncertain condition and the turmoil in Makassar and its surroundings, the Makassar campus led by Drs. L.A. Enthoven was declared closed, and it was reopened on October 7th, 1953, under the leadership of Prof. Drs. G.H.M. Niekerk. The spirit of Unhas was generated from the Faculty of Economics when Prof. Drs. Wolfhoff and Drs. Muhammad Baga was appointed as Acting-Director and Secretary on the September 1st, 1956, until Hasanuddin University was officiated on the September 10th, 1956.
When the Faculty of Economics underwent stagnation at the end of 1950, Nuruddin Sahadat, Prof. Drs, G.J. Wolhoff, Mr. Tjia Kok Tjiang, J.E. Tatengkeng, and their contemporaries prepared to establish a privately funded Faculty of Law. Their efforts led to the establishment of Sawerigading Institution of Higher Education chaired by Prof. Drs. G.J. Wolff. Their continued efforts to initiate a state university resulted in forming the organizing committee for a state University in March 1950. The steps they took to realize the university was preceded by the opening of a Faculty of Law and community science, the branch of the Faculty of Law of Indonesian University, which was officially opened on March 3rd, 1952, with Prof. Mr. Djokosoetono being the Dean. He also served as the first Dean of the new campus. Supported by the spirit of hard work, self-reliance, and dedication, the Faculty of Law, was led by Professor Dr. Mr. C. de Hearn, who was succeeded by Prof. Drs. G.H.M. Niekerk. Within four years, the faculty successfully detached from Indonesian University with the release of Government Ordinance No. 23 on September 10th, 1956.
The university's vision is to Centre of excellence for Indonesian maritime-based development of humanity, sciences, technology, arts, and cultures. The university's missions are to provide a suitable learning environment to develop innovative and proactive learners' capacity. To preserve, develop, find, and create sciences, technology, arts, and cultures. To implement and disseminate sciences, technology, arts, and cultures for Indonesian maritime society's prosperity. Values are Integrity: honesty, courage, responsibility, determination. Innovation: the combination of creativity, quality-orientation, independence, pioneering. Catalytic: bravery, determination, dedication, and competitiveness. Wisdom: appropriateness, fairness, and civilized news, holism, and adaptability.
