ITS Deploys 125 Students in Patriot Expedition to National Transmigration Areas
Surabaya (ANTARA) - Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has deployed 25 Patriot Expedition Teams (TEP) to serve in eight priority transmigration areas as part of its support for community empowerment and national transmigration development.
‘Modern patriotism is realised through science, innovation, and empathy that benefits society,’ said ITS Vice Rector for Planning, Finance, and Infrastructure, Dr. Machsus, during the deployment ceremony in Surabaya on Thursday. Facing various terrain limitations, he urged all participants to uphold the institution’s values.
In the programme’s second year, ITS has dispatched 125 participants divided into 25 teams. Out of the 84 transmigration areas covered nationally, ITS has been entrusted with sending teams to eight priority areas. ITS Patriot Expedition Coordinator, Prof. Aulia Siti Aisjah, stated that the majority of assignments are focused on eastern Indonesia. ‘Thus, 20 teams will be deployed in West Papua, followed by three teams in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), one team in the Selaparang region of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and one team in Barelang, Riau Islands,’ she explained.
The Patriot Expedition Team programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Transmigration and higher education institutions to accelerate the development of productive, inclusive, independent, and sustainable economic zones in transmigration areas. Through this programme, universities are encouraged to conduct research, studies, and innovation, as well as provide assistance to communities in transmigration areas. As a technology and innovation-based institution, ITS directs its community service programme through the application of appropriate technology and community empowerment tailored to local needs. The development focus includes resolving basic infrastructure issues, connectivity, governance and agrarian reform, as well as strengthening food security and productive economic activity. ITS considers its involvement in this programme as a contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities and Goal 17 on partnerships for the goals.