MAKASSAR – Developing transmigration areas requires not only infrastructure but also a thorough understanding of each region’s potential, the character of its communities, and the challenges it faces. Starting from that need, Hasanuddin University (Unhas), as the managing university, sent off the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team (TEP), made up of 125 participants from various partner universities, including Unhas, to serve in several strategic transmigration areas in eastern Indonesia.
The Patriot Expedition Team program is part of the Transmigration Patriot Program initiated by the Ministry of Transmigration as a model of collaboration among government, universities, and communities in strengthening regional development. Through this program, the Patriots will apply their expertise in their respective fields through research, studies, and community support to produce solutions relevant to the characteristics of each region while encouraging the sustainable development of local potential.
The send-off of the Patriot Expedition Team took place in the Senate Room on the 2nd floor of the Unhas Rectorate Building on Thursday (23 July), led by Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc. Also attending were representatives of the local governments at the assignment sites, university leaders, and the participants, who are scheduled to depart for their assignment sites on 31 July.
Representing the Unhas Patriot Expedition Management Team, drg. Nursyamsi, M.Kes., explained that recruitment began in early June 2026 and drew high enthusiasm, with 1,182 applicants, consisting of 842 participants from various partner universities and 340 from Unhas. After the selection process, 803 participants went on to a self-assessment and online interview stage in two waves before 125 participants were finally named 2026 Transmigration Patriots.
According to drg. Nursyamsi, the selection process measured not only academic competence but also the ability to work in a team, facilitate communities, and implement programs according to the needs of the assignment area.
This year, the Patriots will serve in several strategic transmigration areas in eastern Indonesia, including Weri-Saharey in Fakfak Regency, West Papua, as well as Muna, Kolaka, Konawe, East Luwu, and Sidenreng Rappang (Sidrap). The entire program is scheduled to run until December 2026 as part of efforts to provide continuous support suited to the characteristics of each region.
As one of the assignment destinations, Acting Head of the Fakfak Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office Lud Masrur Kamudi expressed readiness to welcome the participants and support all activities to be carried out during the service period. The regional government hopes the team’s presence will help uncover and develop local potential so that the quality of the transmigration area can continue to improve over time.
“We are committed to continue overseeing the implementation of the Transmigration Patriot Program while the participants are in the field. All preparations have been made, and we look forward to the arrival of the Patriot Expedition Team from Makassar so that we can begin collaborating to develop the potential of the transmigration area and deliver benefits that the community can feel directly,” explained Lud Kamudi.
Before officially sending them off, Unhas Rector Prof. JJ said the Transmigration Patriot Program is a strategic government step in connecting the capacity of universities with regional development needs. During the assignment, the Patriots will collaborate with communities and local governments to map regional potential, identify development challenges, and design and implement programs relevant to local characteristics and needs.
“Universities must not be ivory towers that merely produce education and research. Knowledge must be present among the people, serve as a solution to real problems, and make an impact on regional development,” stressed Prof. JJ.
Prof. JJ added that Unhas’s involvement in this program is a real implementation of the Impactful Campus (Kampus Berdampak) vision, which positions universities as strategic partners in development. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, research results, innovation, and academic expertise are expected to be translated into solutions that meet community needs while advancing transmigration areas.
Prof. JJ further reminded the participants that bearing the title of Patriot is no easy matter. A Patriot, Prof. JJ said, must have a sincere love for the country, a willingness to sacrifice, and a readiness to be present and work alongside the community. These values are the main provisions for building trust, respecting local wisdom, and ensuring that every program truly benefits the community.
Closing the remarks, Prof. JJ stressed that a Patriot’s success is measured not by the number of programs carried out but by the trust built together with the community. Prof. JJ hoped every participant would uphold the institution’s good name, maintain integrity, and serve with complete sincerity.
“I hope that when your assignment ends, your departure will be felt as a loss because you have been accepted, trusted, and loved by the community you serve,” Prof. JJ concluded.
To mark the start of the service period, the Unhas Rector symbolically handed over a flag to representatives of the 2026 Patriot Expedition Team. The handover symbolizes the Patriots’ mandate to carry the spirit of collaboration, integrity, and service in supporting the development of transmigration areas by applying knowledge among the people. (*/mir)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.