Batam, 24 November 2025 — Universitas Indonesia (UI), through the Patriot Expedition Team, presented the results of a study entitled “An Institutional Collaboration Model for the Economic Development of the Barelang Transmigration Area” at a seminar held at Batam Tourism Polytechnic (BTC). The event brought together ministries, local governments, academics, business actors, and local stakeholders to formulate strategies for strengthening economic governance in the strategic transmigration area of Barelang.

The seminar was opened by the Minister of Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, who emphasized that the development of transmigration areas requires cross-institutional synergy in order to encourage economic self-reliance among transmigrant communities. “In principle, I pay close attention to the future of the transmigrant communities in Barelang; therefore, the recommendations of the Economic Institutional Model from the UI Team serve as important input for the Ministry of Transmigration in formulating transmigration policies for 2026 so that they are more accurately targeted,” said M. Iftitah.

Subsequent remarks were delivered by the Head of BP Batam, Amsakar Achmad; the Dean of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences UI, Prof. Dr. drg. Retno Kusumastuti Hardjanto, M.Si; the Director of Batam Tourism Polytechnic, Siska Amelia Maldin, M.Par; BKI Batam Commissioner Arif Bijaksana; and UI Lecturer Dr. L.G. Saraswati Putri, S.Hum., M.Hum.

In the main session, Dr. Vishnu Juwono, S.E., MIA, Head of Team 6 Output 3 of the UI Patriot Expedition, presented the research findings, highlighting the importance of strengthening collaboration among ministries, business entities, cooperatives, and local communities as the foundation of an inclusive and sustainable economic ecosystem.

“Strengthening economic institutions cannot run in isolation. A governance model is needed that allows various parties to complement one another and share roles. Our research identifies that Transmigration Cooperatives have great potential to become key institutions in developing major industrial potentials in the Barelang area, namely the fisheries industry, tourism industry, agricultural industry, and home industries such as snacks, batik, and others,” Vishnu stated. In addition, Vishnu also recommended that the management of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from large companies operating in Batam should be channeled to Transmigration Cooperatives, with the collection coordinated by the Batam Management Agency (BP Batam).

The discussion session featured three commentators: Dr. Alfiandri, S.Sos., M.Si (Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji); Asep Muhammad Yusuf Abdul Aziz, S.Tr.A.B (Secretary General of BPC HIPMI Batam); and Agus Ubaidillah (Chairperson of the Barelang Merah Putih Transmigration Producers Cooperative). The discussants assessed that the research recommendations are relevant for strengthening economic development policies in transmigration areas, particularly in the development of cooperatives, expanding market access, and creating a favorable local investment climate.

This activity reaffirmed Universitas Indonesia’s commitment to providing evidence-based policy research and strengthening collaboration between universities, government, and communities in national development.