Halu Oleo University (UHO) was officially announced as the first state university in Southeast Sulawesi by the Director General of Higher Education; Prof. Dr. Doddy Tisnaamidjaja representing the Minister of Education and Culture which at that time was held by Prof. Dr. Nugroho Notosusanto on August 19, 1981 as the 42nd state university in Indonesia based on Presidential Decree No. 37 of 1981.