An aura of enthusiasm radiated from the third-year Polstat STIS students of the DIV and DIII Study Programs while participating in the opening procession of the Field Work Practice (PKL) at the BPS of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) Province on Tuesday (3/3). For the next 14 days starting from March 3, 2020, a total of 609 students consisting of 534 DIV Study Program students and 75 DIII Study Program students will carry out PKL in all regencies/cities in DIY. The theme raised for the 2019/2020 Academic Year PKL is "Digitalization of Village Potential Data (Podes) and its Application to the SDGs Environmental Pillar and Digital Economy" for DIV Study Program students, and "Paradata Study on Sakernas" for DIII Study Program students. The research in the PKL conducted by the DIV Study Program is divided into four research groups, namely Podes, SDGs Environmental Pillar, Digital Economy, and Big Data. Students involved in this PKL also developed a Podes data entry application called SIPODES.

In her remarks before the Assistant II for Economics and Development of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Drs. Trisaktiyana, M.Si), BPS officials from across the province, and students, Endang Retno Sri Subiyandani S.Si, M.M. (Head of the Public Relations and Legal Bureau of BPS RI) expressed her pride in the Polstat STIS students because, in each internship, the students learn not only to collect data in the field, but also to design survey activities, and disseminate and socialize the results. This is certainly part of Polstat STIS's existence as a Center of Excellence. The reason for selecting Yogyakarta Province as the research location for the 2019/2020 Academic Year is related to the theme of Digitizing Village Potential. Yogyakarta has a large number of villages and sub-districts and a large area that makes it possible for the students to conduct Podes data collection.

Endang also advised the students to view this activity not only as a means of applying the knowledge they have learned, but also as a learning tool for community life. "Learn as much as possible from the lives of the people of Yogyakarta, who have a strong sense of tolerance, rooted in the motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), and have been named an ASEAN City of Culture for the 2018-2020 period by the ASEAN Minister for Culture and the Arts," he said.

The Head of the Yogyakarta Province Statistics Agency (BPS) (Dr. Heru Margono, M.Sc.) also welcomed the students' presence in his assigned area. "Hopefully, this internship will benefit not only the Polstat STIS but also the Yogyakarta community. Always uphold the good name of yourself, your alma mater, and BPS in carrying out your duties, especially when interacting with the public," he said.

The internship was officially opened by the Assistant II for Economics and Development of the Yogyakarta Special Region. In his remarks, he praised the research theme chosen by the students. He stated that any data generated regarding the current conditions in Yogyakarta will be highly beneficial for policymakers. "Yogyakarta is special, so don't forget to enjoy its unique qualities, especially its cultural diversity and unique cuisine, after you complete your internship," he said, greeted with thunderous applause from the students.

Keep up the good work, Class of '59! Carry out your duties to the best of your ability to produce accurate data! With Data, Real Action, Building the Nation!