FMIPA UI Sends Six Lecturers to Lead Patriot Expedition 2026 Teams, Bringing Impactful Scientific Research to Strengthen Transmigration Areas

Depok, August 7, 2026 – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), continues to demonstrate its contribution to national development by strengthening the role of science and technology. Six FMIPA UI lecturers have been appointed as leaders of the 2026 Patriot Expedition Teams (TEP), an initiative organized by the Ministry of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia to support the transformation of transmigration areas through science- and technology-based development.

The six lecturers are Prof. Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas, S.Si., M.Si. (Geography); Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Mufti Petala Patria, M.Sc. (Biology); Dr. Mega Atria, S.Si., M.Si. (Biology); Dr. Dian Hendrayanti, M.Sc. (Biology); Dr. Tjiong Giok Pin, S.Si., M.Si. (Geography); and Dr. Hafid Setiadi, S.Si., M.T. (Geography). They lead six research and community engagement teams in priority transmigration areas in West Papua and West Kalimantan. In total, the six teams comprise 75 members, including FMIPA UI students and alumni, academics from various faculties at Universitas Indonesia, as well as students from partner universities participating in the Patriot Expedition.

This trust was earned through a rigorous selection process that considered the quality of the proposals, research track records, scientific publications, and the alignment of each lecturer’s expertise with the development needs of 53 priority transmigration areas.

During the assignment period from August to December 2026, the Patriot Expedition Teams will conduct research, map regional potential, engage with local communities, implement science- and technology-based innovations, and establish collaborations with local governments, businesses, and various stakeholders.

FMIPA UI’s contributions cover a range of strategic themes. Dr. Mega Atria leads research on downstream processing and industrialization through the development of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), while Dr. Dian Hendrayanti focuses on strengthening the production capacity of sago, nutmeg, and bananas to foster community self-reliance in Werianggi–Werabur, Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua. In the same area, Prof. Mufti Petala Patria is developing an environmentally based cattle farming model through integrated feed management, waste management, and the strengthening of farmer group institutions.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dewi Susiloningtyas is developing an area-based logistics management model to strengthen connectivity through Windesi Port in Teluk Wondama Regency. Dr. Hafid Setiadi leads a productive economic empowerment program through the optimization of household yards based on social agreements in Gerbang Mas Perkasa, Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan. Meanwhile, Dr. Tjiong Giok Pin is developing a sustainable integrated ecotourism model based on landscape and local wisdom in the Ketungau Hulu border transmigration area, Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan.

Before being deployed to their respective assignment locations, all participants attended a national briefing organized by the Ministry of Transmigration at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, on July 29–30, 2026. Previously, the Universitas Indonesia Patriot Expedition team had also been officially sent off by UI Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU., on Friday (July 24) at the UI Depok Campus. A total of 150 UI academics joined the program before being deployed in stages from July 31 through the first week of August 2026.

FMIPA UI Dean, Prof. Dr. Tito Latif Indra, M.Si., said that the participation of six lecturers as team leaders reflects the government’s confidence in FMIPA UI’s capacity to deliver science-based solutions for national development. According to him, FMIPA UI’s strength lies not only in its excellence in fundamental research but also in its ability to integrate diverse disciplines into applicable and impactful innovations.

“This reflects FMIPA UI’s commitment to advancing impactful science, strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, and supporting the development of sustainable, science-based transmigration areas,” said Prof. Tito.

He added that the Patriot Expedition Program serves as a strategic platform for strengthening cross-disciplinary and inter-university collaboration in developing comprehensive solutions.

“We fully support the spirit of collaboration across faculties, disciplines, and universities that lies at the heart of the Patriot Expedition Program. Development challenges cannot be addressed by a single field of knowledge alone. Through this collaboration, FMIPA UI contributes the strength of science while working alongside diverse areas of expertise to develop tangible solutions that benefit communities and advance Indonesia,” he said.

The Patriot Expedition Program is an initiative of the Ministry of Transmigration that involves students, academics, and researchers from 10 partner universities. Minister of Transmigration Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara stated that the 53 assignment locations this year are part of 154 priority transmigration areas mapped since the 2025 Patriot Expedition.

“What distinguishes this year from last year is that, beyond conducting research and mapping economic potential, the participants are also taking concrete action,” said Iftitah.

Through research and community engagement conducted during the assignment period, the six teams led by FMIPA UI lecturers are expected to develop science-based solutions that address community needs while accelerating the sustainable transformation of transmigration areas.