The Internship Program (PKL) of Politeknik Statistika STIS for the 2021/2022 Academic Year was officially inaugurated by the Principal Secretary (Sestama) of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Ir. Atqo Mardiyanto, M.Si., on Monday, January 31, at the West Java BPS Provincial Office Auditorium.

In his address, Sestama highlighted that this year’s internship also serves as a preparatory phase for the 2023 Agricultural Census (ST2023). The internship contributes to several strategic studies, including:

• Prelisting Study for ST2023,
• Geospatial Study,
• Urban Farming Study,
• Agricultural SDGs Assessment, and
• Mitigation Strategy for Online Agricultural Surveys/Censuses.

He also encouraged all participating students to be role models for the community in consistently implementing health protocols, especially during the ongoing pandemic.

The opening ceremony was attended by:

• Dyah Anugrah Kuswardani, M.A., Head of BPS West Java Province,
• Dr. Erni Tri Astuti, M.Math., Director of Politeknik Statistika STIS,
• and 35 student representatives.

Simultaneous opening ceremonies were also held at each BPS regional office in the selected internship locations, led by the heads of the respective BPS offices—except in Purwakarta, where the event was inaugurated by the Regional Secretary.

The field internship program, themed “Towards Sustainable Agriculture,” will take place in 10 cities/regencies across West Java, namely:

1. Cianjur Regency
2. Sukabumi Regency
3. West Bandung Regency
4. Purwakarta Regency
5. Bandung City
6. Tasikmalaya City
7. Garut Regency
8. Tasikmalaya Regency
9. Indramayu Regency
10. Subang Regency

The internship will run from January 31 to February 12, 2022.

(humas/claudia)