Implementation of Character-Based Leadership in Improving the Quality of Higher Education Governance in Makassar City

This study aims to explain the role of character-based leadership in improving the quality of higher education management through the development of an innovative, responsive, creative, skilled, and cooperative academic community in implementing the Tridharma (Three Pillars of Excellence). The research method used is descriptive qualitative with observation, interview, and documentation techniques, as well as qualitative data analysis. The results show that higher education leadership is capable of transforming human resources, supporting facilities, and governance, although the technical capabilities of leaders are still low and social skills are not optimal. However, transformational leadership has been proven to encourage development through inter-institutional cooperation, the formation of a work culture, academic transparency, management collaboration, and increasing institutional competitiveness.