Makassar — Jihan Yasirah Jan Zakaria, a student of the English Language and Literature (BSI) Department at UIN Alauddin Makassar, has been selected as the Makassar City Cultural Ambassador 2025. She earned this prestigious title through a comprehensive selection process organized by the Makassar City Department of Culture, with the Grand Final held on December 6, 2025, at Claro Hotel Makassar.
This year’s selection involved several key stages, beginning with document screening, where participants submitted administrative requirements for initial evaluation, followed by an initial interview for those who passed. From these early phases, 24 finalists were chosen to advance to the main series of activities.
The finalists then took part in advanced interviews focusing on cultural knowledge, public speaking, and personality. They also participated in a talent show to showcase their abilities, catwalk and choreography classes to build stage readiness, and a three-day quarantine filled with coaching, training, and assessment.
The Grand Final featured the selection of the Top 5 and Top 3, before ultimately determining the Winner and several other special award recipients. Jihan distinguished herself throughout the process and was ultimately awarded the title of Winner of the Makassar City Cultural Ambassador 2025.
In her remarks, Jihan expressed her hope to bring a positive impact to the preservation of local culture. She aims to be a good role model for the people of Makassar, especially the younger generation, encouraging them to preserve and enliven Makassar’s cultural heritage in creative, inclusive, and modern ways that keep pace with technological development without losing local identity.
Jihan emphasized that she wants this role to be more than just a title; she hopes it will enable her to create real and meaningful impact. She also expressed her wish to inspire more people to appreciate and preserve culture out of love and awareness, noting that culture is a unifying force that elevates the values of the city and represents an identity that must be cherished and kept alive.
With her selection, it is hoped that more young people in Makassar will be motivated to actively protect, develop, and promote local culture so that it remains relevant and sustainable for future generations.
