After passing through three rigorous selection stages, the successful candidates finally set foot at Politeknik Statistika STIS. Upon arrival in Jakarta, the new students were required to verify their documents and subsequently participate in the Character and Nationalism Awareness Development Program (PKBN-MP2K) for the 2022 orientation period. Despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the program ran smoothly while adhering to health protocols.

With the theme “Fostering Adaptive Students to Become Proactive and Nationalist Statisticians,” the MP2K 2022 activities spanned four days, from August 12 to 15, 2022, preceded by a Pre-MP2K session on August 11. Throughout the program, students received orientation based on six core indicators: ethics and discipline, leadership and teamwork, skills, creativity, understanding of the four pillars of nationalism, and knowledge of Politeknik Statistika STIS and BPS. In addition, daily quizzes were conducted to reinforce the materials delivered each day.

The Pre-MP2K event featured welcoming speeches and brief introductions. Carrying the sub-theme “Together with MP2K: Rooted as One, Growing and United,” Dr. Sarni Maniar Berliana, SST., M.Si., as Head of the PKBN-MP2K 2022 Committee, expressed hope that the new students would enjoy the upcoming events. Operational Head Gestyan Ramadhan also presented an overview of the program. Students were introduced to the academic community through videos, social media platforms, and the official PKBN-MP2K website, including tutorials and important songs to help them better understand the campus environment.

Day 1: Introduction to Campus and Ethics

MP2K officially kicked off on Friday, August 12, with the sub-theme “Shaping Resilient, Ethical, and Dedicated Students.” The opening ceremony was led by Dr. Hardius Usman, M.Si. Activities on the first day included an introduction to Politeknik Statistika STIS and disaster mitigation. Study program briefings were given by Dr. I Made Arcana, S.Si. (Head of D-IV Statistics Program), Yunarso Anang, Ph.D. (Head of D-IV Computational Statistics Program), and Aisyah Fitri Yuniasih, SST., S.E., M.Si. (Secretary of the D-III Statistics Program). A public lecture on disaster preparedness was delivered by Adi Setio Purno from the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The day concluded with a session on ethics and student regulations by Wahyudin, S.Si., M.AP, MPP, Head of the Student Affairs Unit, who emphasized that honesty is non-negotiable for a statistician.

Day 2: Campus Exploration and Anti-Drugs Awareness

The second day offered a more in-depth introduction to the campus environment. Nurseto Wisnumurti, S.Si., M.Stat., and Ibnu Santoso, SST., M.T. presented sessions on the Academic and Student Affairs Administration (BAAK) and the IT Unit. Student organizations (ormawa) were introduced through videos and directly by representatives such as Muhammad Iqbal Muharram (Chair of SEMA), Andi Alfitra Putra Fadila (Chair of DPM), Sishilia Marestha (Commander of SPD), and Rahmat Agung Pasaribu (Commander of Menwa). The students also participated in a campus tour. A public lecture titled “Proud to Contribute Without Drugs” by Drs. Ahwil Lutan, S.H., MBA, M.M., Coordinator of Expert Staff at the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), closed the day’s events.

Day 3: Mental Health and Digital Literacy

Excitement continued on the third day as students explored topics around mental resilience in the digital era. Psychologist Muthmainah Mufidah, M.Psi., delivered a lecture on student mental health, followed by Sigit PW Jarot, B.Eng, M.Eng, Ph.D., who shared insights on using social media wisely and discerning digital information. Students also joined discussion panels on indicators within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.

Day 4: BPS and Core Values

The fourth day marked a transition into the Nationalism Awareness Program (PKBN). A public lecture themed “Introduction to the Organization and Core Values of Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS)” was delivered by Ir. Atqo Mardiyanto, M.Si., the Principal Secretary of BPS. He emphasized, “BPS is an independent institution. Therefore, professionalism must be instilled from now on.” The session ended with an engaging Q&A, especially on the upcoming 2023 Agricultural Census.

The day concluded with a farewell ceremony, during which students were symbolically released to begin the PKBN activities in Pusdikjas TNI AD, Cimahi. Participant badges were officially presented by Ir. Atqo Mardiyanto, M.Si., to selected student representatives.

Conclusion

Over the four days of MP2K 2022, new students were nurtured to embody the spirit of the program’s theme. Adaptability is essential in keeping pace with a rapidly changing world. Proactiveness is equally vital for statisticians in solving real-world issues. Finally, a strong sense of nationalism must be deeply rooted as they prepare to serve the nation as future civil servants.