British Development Minister Visits Traces Of Alfred Wallace In Maros

Rector of Unhas Jamaluddin Jabom with British Development Minister Anneliese Dodds visited Wallace's footsteps in Maros, South Sulawesi, Thursday (19/9/2024). ANTARA/HO-Unhas

Hasanuddin University Chancellor Jamaluddin Jabom together with British Development Minister Anneliese Dodds made a historic visit to Alfred Wallace's home site in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi.

The activity on the Alfred Wallace website was also attended by the Regent of Maros HAS Chaidir Syam and several regional officials of Maros Regency.

Rector of Unhas Jamaluddin Jampa (JJ) in his speech said that the traces of Wallace's home site had high historical and ecological value.

He said there were so many lessons that Wallace could learn from the journey of a science expedition, which later became the basis for many of his work on natural selection.

Prof. JJ said that with Alfred Wallace's footsteps in Maros, it could spur the spirit of collaboration between Unhas and academic institutions and the British government to continue to develop sustainable environmental research. Wallace's footprint in Maros is a symbol of how Indonesia's biodiversity can become the center of global attention.

"This place is not just part of the past, but also an important symbol for education and research in the future. We hope this inspires more in-depth research into Sulawesi's biodiversity and the surrounding area," said Rector of Unhas, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, September 19.

Anneliese Dodds expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome from the Maros Regency government and the Rector of Unhas.

Dodds expressed his admiration for Maros' natural wealth and scientific history. The British Minister of Development mentioned the need for cooperation for the preservation of nature and sustainable development in the future.

I am very impressed with Maros' great potential in supporting research related to biodiversity. Alfred Wallace provides a world of valuable insight into evolution, "explained Dodds.

In addition to visiting the traces of the Alfred Wallace House website, the Rector of Unhas together with Anneliese Dodds and the Regent of Maros along with other regional officials, previously the group made a visit to Leang Bulu Buttae, one of the karst cave areas in Maros.

During this visit, they saw firsthand the researchers and archaeologists collecting soil and stones for research.