Lampung has been one of the main destinations for the government transmigration program since 1950. The government transmigration program and other continuing migrations from other parts of the country has contributed to the formation of multicultural society in Lampung. The province is well known as home of almost all ethnic groups that are native to the country. This is why the province is called “Indonesia Mini” or “Little Indonesia”. Since the province comprises multicultural societies, the province functions as multicultural laboratory and it will be challenging issues for social studies. The strategic location of Lampung Province has made this province as a gate to Sumatra Island from Java. This condition has contributed to the diversity in University of Lampung. Academic and non-academic staffs as well as students in this university come from several provinces. The diversity has been developing in the university.
Lampung is considerably potential for the development of various industries. Currently, the economy of Lampung is supported by three main sectors: agriculture, mining and trade. Geothermal and tourism has also high prospect and develops very rapidly in the province.
In Lampung Province, tropical agriculture has produced important commodities such as black pepper, coffee, sugarcane, cassava, and cacao. Lampung is also home of one of the largest pineapple plantations in the world. With the decreasing land availability for sugarcane plantation in Java and other islands, sugar industry in Lampung is currently a sugar leading producer in the country.
The uniqueness of the tropical forest lies in the province unique. It is also worth mentioning the devastating eruption of the ancient Krakatau island that still continues active as “anak Krakatau” (meaning the Krakatau child), which has another beauty in it.
These wealth natural resources combined with the unique cultural diversity, hospitality of its people and strategic locations offer both natural and cultural tourist attractions. Lampung attracts people to come to this province, either to study, conduct research or enjoy a vacation.
In addition, the profound importance of understanding the diversity of natural resources abundant in the province has attracted researchers from other parts of the globe to visit the province and to learn the advantages of the resources for local, national, and international community.
The lecturers of Lampung University have conducted joint programs with lecturers from top universities in the world to conduct research in various fields to explore the relationship between the local resources and the citizens of the world.