"One Hope We Can, Across Our Distance." This was the slogan echoed by the 60th Class of Politeknik Statistika STIS students at the Opening Ceremony of the 2020/2021 Academic Year Field Work Practice (PKL) on Tuesday (February 16th). PKL is a vehicle for implementing what has been learned in the classroom in the real world and is one of the advantages of Politeknik Statistika STIS compared to other statistics campuses. This year's PKL is indeed unlike those in previous years. The pandemic is not over, but PKL, an annual event of Politeknik Statistika STIS and carried out by Level III students from both the D-IV and D-III Programs, must continue.

A series of steps were taken to plan the PKL format to adapt to the current situation, where students are still engaging in Distance Learning (PJJ) from their respective homes across the archipelago. With direction from the BPS leadership and guidance from lecturers, this year's PKL will focus on the BPS family, aiming to encourage introspection and self-reflection toward a better BPS. This internship program was attended by 589 third-year students, consisting of 73 students from the Diploma III Statistics Program, 374 students from the Diploma IV Statistics Program, and 142 students from the Diploma IV Statistical Computing Program.

The fieldwork program for Batch 60 will be held from February 16-28, 2021, and consists of six research projects. Research 1 will conduct an online survey methodology study. Research 2 aims to measure the job satisfaction of BPS employees. Research 3 will examine the level of disaster mitigation and preparedness at BPS. Research 4 will measure the satisfaction level of BPS data users. Research 5 will develop an alumni database system for AIS, STIS, and Polstat STIS. Research 6 will measure student satisfaction with Polstat STIS services.

The research subjects for Research 2, 3, and 4 are within the scope of BPS, namely BPS employees and data users. Specifically for Research 2 and 3, questionnaires were completed using Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI), and enumeration was conducted online by distributing the questionnaire link to selected respondents via email and conducting the enumeration directly. Meanwhile, Research 4 was conducted entirely online using CAWI using a self-enumeration method.

The opening of the fieldwork experience (PKL) was attended not only by the leadership of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the academic community of Polstat STIS, but also by the Heads of Provincial Statistics Agencies (BPS) and the Heads of Regency/City Statistics Agencies (BPS) throughout Indonesia. In her remarks, Dr. Erni Tri Astuti, M.Math., Director of Polstat STIS, explained that the PKL is part of a four-credit course required by third-year students. It aims to apply the course material learned and introduce the statistical business processes carried out by BPS. The process begins with identifying needs, drafting a questionnaire, establishing a data collection methodology, conducting data collection in the field, processing, analyzing, and disseminating the results. Obstacles in data collection will be addressed through online data collection, but offline data collection will also continue to be conducted as a form of learning for students on how to interact and conduct interviews with respondents while still observing and adhering to health protocols. "Make this internship not only an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained, but also an opportunity to hone soft skills," he advised the students.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Suhariyanto, Head of BPS, stated that the pandemic has had a domino effect on health and socioeconomic aspects, ultimately changing people's behavior and habits. The impact of the pandemic is also evident in the data produced, showing that economic growth has contracted since the 1998 economic crisis, unemployment has increased, poverty has increased, and income inequality has widened. Another change experienced due to the pandemic is the introduction of distance learning (PJJ), which presents many challenges for educators and students in creating an innovative and interactive learning environment. In addition to online learning, this year's internship must also be conducted remotely. He also said that so far, the PKL carried out by Polstat STIS students ranging from the themes of poverty, tourism, KSA with Machine Learning, to Podes Digitalization, has provided a real contribution to BPS. This year's PKL is different, students are not assigned to certain areas because BPS prioritizes health not only for students, but also respondents and related parties. "Don't be disappointed because the situation does not allow, what you have to do is: even though it is different, the Class of 60 must strive that the results