Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi. Photo : Ist.
JAKARTA, JAKTIMES.COM – A black bus with “Diponegoro University” emblazoned on its side drew attention as it arrived at Gate 5 of the Domestic Departure Terminal, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday (Aug 26, 2025).
Waiting there was Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi, who personally greeted dozens of researchers from the Semarang-based university before they departed for transmigration sites in South Sumatra’s Musi Rawas and Banyuasin Regencies, as well as Way Kanan in Lampung.
Dressed in navy blazers, the researchers shook hands with Viva Yoga one by one, receiving words of encouragement before their departure.
Speaking to reporters, the deputy minister announced that starting today, 2,000 researchers under the Patriot Expedition Team will be dispatched in waves to 154 transmigration areas across the country — from Sabang, Aceh to Merauke, South Papua.
The team comprises 42 professors, 358 PhD holders, 846 master’s and bachelor’s graduates, and 754 students from top universities such as ITB, UI, UGM, IPB, Diponegoro University, Padjadjaran University, ITS, as well as 17 local universities including Universitas Sulawesi Barat, Tadulako University, and Universitas Nusa Cendana. “Selection of the researchers was entrusted to each university,” Viva explained.
With such a strong academic lineup, Viva expressed confidence in the team’s performance. “The Patriot Expedition Program is a bridge for universities to implement the Tri Dharma of Higher Education,” said the University of Indonesia graduate.
Researching the Future of Transmigration
The researchers will conduct studies, surveys, and mapping to identify the economic, social, and cultural potential of transmigration sites. They will also gather detailed data on infrastructure, education, health, and other local needs.
“Their findings will be compiled into comprehensive, scientific, and logical reports. The conclusions will serve as recommendations for future transmigration policies,” Viva told Jaktimes.com.
He emphasized that the research results will not only benefit the Ministry of Transmigration but also other government bodies in shaping policies and development programs.
A New Paradigm for Transmigration
According to Viva Yoga, the new paradigm of transmigration requires inter-ministerial collaboration. The Ministry of Transmigration must work in synergy with the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Cooperatives, Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR/BPN), as well as the National Food Agency.
“All these programs from different ministries and agencies will be integrated into one transmigration area,” he said.
Viva stressed that with this integrated approach, transmigration will no longer be seen as a routine program but as a strategic pillar of national development (Marwan Aziz).