UNDIP, Jakarta (March 7) – The Indonesian Ministry of Protection and Empowerment of Migrant Workers (KPPMI) has partnered with Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), as formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Protection and Empowerment of Migrant Workers / Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) through the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. The agreement was signed on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection office in Jakarta Selatan.
Representing UNDIP, Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., signed the MoU, while Abdul Kadir Karding, Minister of Protection and Empowerment of Migrant Workers / Head of BP2MI, signed on behalf of the ministry. Also present at the signing was drh. Dian Wahyu Harjanti, Ph.D., UNDIP’s Director of Innovation, Downstreaming, and Cooperation, witnessed the agreement.
The collaboration between Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) and the Ministry of Protection and Empowerment of Migrant Workers (KPPMI) aims to enhance the protection and professionalism of Indonesian migrant workers. As a follow-up to this agreement, UNDIP has prepared to establish the UNDIP Migrant Center and a Task Force Team under the coordination of the Rector and Vice Rector IV, led by the Directorate of Innovation, Downstreaming, and Cooperation.
Minister Abdul Kadir Karding emphasized that this partnership is a strategic step toward improving protection quality for migrant workers. “It is an honor to collaborate with one of Indonesia’s top universities, Universitas Diponegoro, to develop data-driven research, provide better training for prospective migrant workers, and improve legal and financial literacy for them,” he stated.
UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., expressed enthusiasm for supporting the Ministry of Protection and Empowerment of Migrant Workers in improving the skills and professionalism of Indonesian migrant workers. “This collaboration is a tangible proof of Universitas Diponegoro’s role in supporting the empowerment and protection of Indonesian migrant workers. Through the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, we are committed to contributing to skills development, professionalism, and legal and financial literacy for migrant workers,” he stated.
UNDIP’s Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Public Communication, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D., added, “We believe that the involvement of higher education institutions in migrant worker issues provides a strong academic perspective for creating more inclusive and data-driven policies. UNDIP is ready to develop research, innovations, and training programs that align with the needs of migrant workers—both before departure and after returning home. We hope this synergy becomes a model for collaboration between the government and universities in improving the quality of Indonesian workers in the global market.”
The Memorandum of Understanding covers education, research, community service, and other agreed-upon areas. The involvement of universities—particularly UNDIP—is expected to impact policies regarding migrant worker protection positively.
Beyond that, the synergy between the Ministry of Protection and Empowerment of Migrant Workers and Universitas Diponegoro aims to address challenges faced by migrant workers, including regulations, social protection, and economic empowerment upon their return. With these efforts, Indonesian migrant workers can work more safely, enhance their competencies, and secure their rights in their destination countries. (Ut-Media Relations)
