Improving Statistical Literacy, IPB University and BPS RI Inaugurate Statistical Corner
IPB University together with the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) of the Republic of Indonesia inaugurated the Statistics Corner located in the Library of IPB Dramaga Campus (21/3). Rector of IPB University, Prof Arif Satria explained, the facility was a form of cooperation in order to increase the awareness of the academic community and the public of the importance of utilizing official statistics.
"The Statistics Corner was established as a forum for activities that accommodate the needs of IPB University and BPS. This cooperation is expected to disseminate the variety and benefits of statistical products produced by BPS to the community, especially in the IPB University environment. We hope that statistical literacy and data science utilization will increase," he hoped.
The event continued with the inauguration of statistical agents and a public lecture by the Head of BPS RI, Dr Margo Yuwono, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM). At that moment, Dr Margo explained that the step of integrating a lot of data into official statistics is a challenge in the midst of the data revolution.
"Currently, data producers are everywhere. On the other hand, the use of data is also increasingly massive. BPS as a state institution in providing statistics must be able to integrate all existing data into official statistics. Data needs to be narrated for the benefit of a group or entity. Data literacy is an important part of this," he said.
According to Dr Margo, there needs to be a strong collaboration between BPS and universities. He considered that the presence of the Statistics Corner would be a place to develop studies using the wealth of micro data owned by BPS to increase knowledge.
"Campus is a laboratory and the academic community is the scientist. IPB University and BPS can collaborate in the utilization and updating of socio-economic registration data (Regsosek) related to poverty and community empowerment based on micro data," he said.
The update, he said, could be used in providing literacy to officials and the community through activities, such as student creativity programs (PKM) and the real work course (KKN).
He added that this year BPS will conduct an agricultural census. This activity is carried out in order to support the improvement of strategic policy design for national agricultural development.
"IPB University is expected to participate in formulating agricultural development in Indonesia. The current agricultural condition only shows the production aspect. In fact, agriculture is not only oriented towards production, but also sustainability. It would be a big loss if we do not use data from BPS," he said.
Head of the Department of Statistics of IPB University as well as the Indonesian Statisticians Association (ISI), Dr Anang Kurnia explained, the Statistical Corner is a form of collaboration initiated by ISI, the Statistics Student Forum (Forstat) and BPS.
"The use of BPS data is widely used by IPB University students. With the presence of this Statistics Corner, BPS products are expected to always be close to the campus. Hopefully students can make good use of it for educational and research purposes," he said.
The same thing was conveyed by the Vice Rector of IPB University for Education and Student Affairs, Prof Deni Noviana. According to him, the Statistics Corner is a learning vehicle for students to learn while solving real problems in society.
"The Statistics Corner can be collaborated with the Desa Cinta Statistik and Data Desa Presisi programs. We hope that the Statistics Corner has good sustainability. Hopefully the inaugurated statistical agents can work optimally and encourage the mission of the Statistics Corner in increasing public literacy in data and statistics," he concluded. (IAAS/RUM)
