Minister of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, explaining the role of transmigration in supporting national development during the Guest Lecture at ITS

ITS Campus, ITS News — In order to support efforts of sustainable development, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), together with the Ministry of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, held a guest lecture by directly presenting the Minister of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, as the speaker on Monday (16/6). The event, which was held at Grha Sepuluh Nopember ITS, discussed transmigration as an inclusive development strategy.

Led by ITS Vice Rector I for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof Nurul Widiastuti PhD; the guest lecture, which is packaged in the form of a question-and-answer discussion, highlighted the role of transmigration as a strategic effort in supporting national development that is fair and inclusive. In its implementation, the minister who is familiarly called Iftitah emphasized that the meaning of transmigration is not limited to physical relocation of the population, but also non-physical. “Transmigration is also a means of improving social status and community welfare,” he stated.

ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD delivering his support for the Patriot Transmigration Program at Grha Sepuluh Nopember ITS

In improving community welfare, the retired Army officer explained that the implementation of transmigration must be able to provide equal access and opportunities for all levels of society. These fair opportunities can reduce disparities and create sustainable economic growth in various regions.

To accelerate the achievement of these goals for the community, the government through the Ministry of Transmigration (Kementrans) has initiated a transformation of transmigration that focuses on the empowerment of local resources. This is realized through commercialization efforts based on kinship and mutual cooperation (gotong royong). “The government will provide a platform for the development of local industries through people-owned enterprises,” revealed the man born in Pandeglang, West Java.

Furthermore, according to Iftitah, this effort is also strengthened by the zoning of joint land management. The government has been making efforts to release lands in transmigration areas so that they can be jointly managed by transmigrants and local communities. “This cooperation is a key point to create transmigration areas that are harmonious, productive, and sustainable,” he said.

Souvenir presentation by ITS Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Pramujati ST MSc Eng PhD to Minister of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara

Not only that, the lecturer at Universitas Pertahanan (Unhan)during the 2017–2019 period also revealed that the government is running five flagship programs to strengthen transmigration. These five programs are: Trans Tuntas (T2), Local Transmigration (Translok), Patriot Transmigration, Trans Karya Nusa (TKN), and Trans Mutual Cooperation (Trans GR).

To manifest these programs, the master’s graduate of Webster University Kansas, United States, added that the Ministry is collaborating with various parties, ranging from local governments to academics. One of them is through cooperation with ITS in the Patriot Transmigration Program, which is divided into the Patriot Expedition Team and the Patriot Scholarship. This program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Transmigration and seven State University of the Legal Agency (PTNBH), one of which is ITS as a partner university to support comprehensive studies in transmigration regions.

On this occasion, ITS Rector Prof Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MSc Eng PhD conveyed that Patriot Transmigration can become a means to develop excellent human resources. “This is supported by ITS’s commitment as a research- and technology-based university that is capable of providing real solutions to various challenges in society,” explained the ITS Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

Question-and-answer discussion session on inclusive and sustainable transmigration strategies during the guest lecture by the Minister of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia at Grha Sepuluh Nopember ITS

Through the Patriot Transmigration program, ITS provides broad opportunities for educators (lecturers) to students to be involved in developing research ideas in various regions in Indonesia. This has been shown by ITS through various innovative products that were exhibited in the Gallery of Research and Technological Innovation (GRIT), which was also visited by the Minister of Transmigration, one of which is an electric vehicle that is capable of creating energy self-sufficiency.

That commitment is also strengthened through cooperation with the Ministry of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, which is implemented in a number of Cooperation Agreements (PKS). The existence of this cooperation also shows ITS’s commitment in supporting the achievement of the 11th and 17th points of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Sustainable Cities and Communities and Partnerships for the Goals. (ITS Public Relations)

Reporter: Hani Aqilah Safitri