Higher Education Ministry Strengthens Students’ Data Skills through Satria Data

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is preparing local data talent by strengthening students’ data-processing skills through the 2026 Statistika Ria dan Sains Data (Satria Data) event.

Beny Bandanadjaja, the ministry’s Director of Learning and Student Affairs (Belmawa), said at the event, which was attended online in Jakarta on Monday, that data was becoming increasingly important in people’s lives, with industries using it to improve productivity.

“Government uses data to improve public services, while the public needs it to understand various issues. But the volume of data must be matched by the ability to process and interpret it accurately,” he said.

Beny said the competition had attracted growing student interest, with 2,905 registrations this year, an increase of about 71 per cent from the 1,696 registrants in 2025.

He said the rise reflected strong student interest in developing their skills and competing in statistics and data science.

“(The competition) gives students the opportunity to hone their abilities through problems relevant to industry needs,” he said.

He also reminded all student finalists to uphold integrity and academic ethics.

Beny hopes Satria Data will continue to provide a platform for Indonesian statistics and data science talent to develop.

“I hope this experience will equip participants to produce work that meets industry needs, strengthens public services and benefits society,” Beny Bandanadjaja said.

Heru Susanto, chair of the Satria Data 2026 organising committee, said Diponegoro University had been appointed to host this year’s national selection.

Heru said the competition would be held in four categories: the National Statistic Competition, Statistic Design and Competition, Statistic Infographic Competition, and Big Data Challenge.