UNDIP, Palembang (31/7) – Four Patriot Expedition Teams (Tim Ekspedisi Patriot / TEP) from Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) 2026, comprising 24 members who will be assigned to the Petata, Parit Rambutan, Telang, and Kikim Transmigration Areas in South Sumatra, were officially received by the Governor of South Sumatra, H. Herman Deru, on Friday (July 31, 2026).
During the meeting, the Governor of South Sumatra welcomed the UNDIP Patriot Expedition Teams. “We strongly support synergy between higher education institutions and the government in promoting the development of transmigration areas. This collaboration is expected to produce concrete and applicable programs that deliver tangible benefits to the community,” he said.
The implementation of TEP UNDIP 2026 continues a program that was initiated through TEP 2025. In line with the Minister of Transmigration’s direction, this year’s program will no longer focus solely on identifying problems. Still, it will emphasize delivering concrete solutions that directly impact communities and can be developed sustainably.
TEP UNDIP is led by Prof. dr. Achmad Zulfa Juniarto, M.Si., Vice Chair for Community Service at the UNDIP Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM). “Through collaboration between TEP UNDIP and local governments, the teams are expected to generate various innovations and recommendations that not only address the current needs of communities but also serve as a foundation for the long-term development of these areas,” he said.
The future development of transmigration should not be viewed merely as a process of population relocation. More broadly, transmigration areas are expected to develop into new centers of economic growth by strengthening local potential, creating business opportunities, increasing productivity, and improving community welfare.
Although the UNDIP Patriot Expedition Teams will only carry out their assignments for approximately four months, the processes initiated through the program are expected to continue beyond the end of their assignments. The programs and recommendations produced are expected to be continued and further developed by local governments together with communities, ensuring that their benefits can be sustained over the long term.
The presence of 24 UNDIP Patriots in South Sumatra marks an initial step toward strengthening collaboration among higher education institutions, the government, and communities to develop more productive and competitive transmigration areas.
The presence of the UNDIP Patriot Expedition Teams in South Sumatra also reinforces the contribution of higher education institutions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure, SDG 10 on reduced inequalities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals.
The program also embodies the spirit of “Noble and Valuable UNDIP,” emphasizing that knowledge should not remain merely an academic concept but should serve as a practical solution that creates tangible impact for communities. From identification to solutions, from action to solutions, and from action toward transmigration areas that are self-reliant, competitive, and sustainable. (Public Communication/UNDIP/TEP 2026)