"We hope that the collaboration between the Transmigration Ministry and Higher Education Ministry can optimize the Patriot Transmigration Program," Minister of Transmigration Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said in a statement released by the ministry here on Wednesday.
He informed that the program aims to create a pool of superior human resources and provide a platform for academics to dedicate themselves to transmigration areas.
The program is expected to promote national development in both economic and social sectors and create job opportunities for local residents.
Suryanagara said he expects the Patriot Transmigration Program to be launched soon after the relevant regulation is finalized and studies are completed.
He informed that his side has met and received support from the Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) regarding scholarships for program participants.
"They said that the Minister of Finance is very supportive of this initiative as a step to invite universities to optimize the Patriot Transmigration Program," he stated.
He added that the quality of local human resources must be improved first to attract potential investors in industrialization and downstreaming in the transmigration areas.
"A new paradigm in transmigration is to 'bring the sugar first; the ants will come on their own.' This phrase means we need to enhance (the capabilities of human resources) first, and then the investors will come," he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, welcomed the program and expressed support for it.
"If the regulation is finalized soon, then in three to four months, we can conduct initial assessments, along with screening from LPDP and the Transmigration Ministry's readiness to carry out the Patriot Transmigration Program," he added.
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Translator: Uyu, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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