Banda Aceh – The Student Association of Statistics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) once again held the annual Statistics Explore 2024 event as part of the celebration of National Statistics Day (HSN), observed every 26th of September. The two-day event, held on September 18-19, 2024, carried the theme “Establishing Pathway to a Sustainable Future: Adhering to Green Economy by Leveraging Data Science for Innovation.” This theme aimed to highlight the vital role of data science in supporting the green economy and environmental sustainability.
Statistics Explore 2024 was officially opened by USK Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ir. Agussabti, M.Si., IPU. In his opening speech, Prof. Agussabti expressed his hope that this event would serve as an effective platform for developing students’ skills in data science while also strengthening the relationship between the university and its strategic partners. “Data science plays a crucial role in evidence-based decision-making, especially in supporting the green economy and sustainable development. I hope this event will produce a generation that is competent and innovative in this field,” he stated.
Statistics Explore 2024 featured a variety of flagship activities designed to hone participants’ skills in statistics and data science, both at the student level and for the general public. Key activities included:
- A National Seminar, attended by academics, practitioners, and data science experts from various institutions, discussing the role of statistics in addressing global challenges, particularly related to the green economy and sustainability.
- An International Student Forum, inviting students from various universities domestically and internationally to discuss innovations and the application of data science in real-life contexts.
- Big Data and Dashboard Competitions, challenging students to process and visually present data to provide solutions supporting sustainable development.
- An Infographic Competition involving high school students from different regions, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of data literacy from an early age.
- A Data Science Competition for high school students, providing a platform for young generations to demonstrate their capabilities in data analysis and problem-solving based on data.
One of the notable guests was Dr. Ir. Syaifullah, ST, M.Eng, Head of the Atsiri Research Centre at USK, who expressed his high appreciation for Statistics Explore 2024. In his remarks, Dr. Syaifullah conveyed full support for the event, emphasizing that it was highly relevant to current developments in data science and the green economy. “Events like this are essential for encouraging young generations to innovate using data to support sustainable development. At Atsiri Research Centre, we fully support this initiative as it aligns with our vision of developing environmentally friendly and sustainable atsiri-based products,” he stated.
Dr. Syaifullah also served as one of the speakers in the Scientific Seminar, where he delivered a presentation focused on the use of data in atsiri research and how the application of data science can enhance efficiency and sustainability in the atsiri industry. His presentation provided insights into the critical integration of data science with innovation in nature-based, sustainable products, a topic highly relevant to the event’s theme.
The event also received special recognition from Prof. Dr. Hizir Sofyan, Director of the Graduate School at USK, who was present as a speaker in the National Seminar. Prof. Hizir emphasized the importance of Statistics Explore 2024 as a platform for students and the general public to deepen their understanding of the role of data in sustainable decision-making. “Data science plays a highly strategic role in the modern era, particularly in supporting development based on the green economy and sustainability. I hope this event will continue to grow and become larger in the future, attracting international participants and collaborations,” Prof. Hizir remarked.
As one of the key figures in the development of statistics at USK, Prof. Hizir underlined that this event is an important platform for increasing data literacy among students and the general public. He hoped that in the future, Statistics Explore would evolve into an international event that could invite more experts and practitioners from various countries to share their knowledge and experiences in the field of data science.
The event successfully attracted attention from various sectors, not only from academics and students but also from industry and government stakeholders. The full support from the main sponsors, such as Atsiri Research Centre USK, Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS), and Semen Bangun Andalas, greatly contributed to the smooth execution and success of the event.
As one of USK’s leading research centers, Atsiri Research Centre saw Statistics Explore 2024 as a valuable opportunity to build strategic collaborations with various stakeholders, including academic institutions and industries, to advance data-driven innovations that support the green economy.
Muhammad Fadhlullah, the chairperson of Statistics Explore 2024, stated that the event aimed not only to enhance students’ competencies in data processing but also to broaden their understanding of how data science can be applied to create sustainable solutions. “Through this event, we hope that students will gain a better understanding of the critical role data plays in decision-making, especially in supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable green economies,” he said.
With the successful implementation of Statistics Explore 2024, it is hoped that the competitions and discussions during the event will inspire students and the wider community to continue innovating in the field of data science. Additionally, the event is expected to become a bridge for further collaboration between USK and various institutions and universities at the international level.
May this event inspire students and the younger generation to continue innovating in creating solutions that support sustainable development by harnessing the power of data science.
