Yogyakarta — UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and the Yogyakarta Provincial Office of Statistics (BPS DIY) signed three cooperation documents on Friday (28 November 2025) aimed at strengthening research, data literacy, and statistical capacity-building in support of Indonesia’s national data ecosystem. The signing ceremony was held at Hotel Phoenik Yogyakarta.

Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, said the partnership is an important step toward reinforcing the university’s contribution to evidence-based public policy. He stressed that reliable data is essential for effective governance in a country as diverse and complex as Indonesia.

“Data-driven decision-making is no longer optional. Without reliable statistics, policies risk missing their intended targets,” he said.

Prof. Noorhaidi also outlined the university’s transformation as an institution that integrates religious knowledge with science, technology, and the social sciences. He noted that UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to expand academic programs related to data and computational literacy, reflecting the growing demand for statistical competencies. The university, he added, is open to establishing a Statistical Corner to strengthen data access and literacy among students and faculty.

BPS DIY Chief Ir. Herum Fajarwati, M.M., highlighted the strategic value of collaborating with universities, saying the National Statistical System depends on contributions from academia in improving methodology, literacy, and public understanding of data.

“Our synergy with UIN Sunan Kalijaga brings together complementary strengths—research, innovation, and the provision of official national data,” she said.

The agreements signed include a memorandum of understanding on the use and development of statistical data for the Tri Dharma of Higher Education and two cooperation agreements focusing on capacity-building and statistical literacy. Together, they provide a framework for training, internships, educational programs, and joint research.

The partnership is expected to deliver tangible benefits. UIN Sunan Kalijaga will gain broader access to BPS data for research and teaching, enabling students to strengthen their analytical skills. For BPS, the collaboration expands outreach and academic support for improving statistical quality.

Both institutions affirmed that the cooperation represents a long-term commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s data governance. A joint message concluded the event:
“Building is expensive, but building without data is far more costly.”