The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to advance practice-oriented learning through its Alumni Mengajar initiative, held on Monday, April 27, 2026. Organized in collaboration with AKSES (Alumni Kessos), the session featured Muhammad Rifaat Adiakarti Farid, S.Sos., M.A., Ph.D (Cand.), a lecturer in Social Welfare at Universitas Muhammadiyah Madiun (UMMAD) and a 2012 graduate of IKS.

The session was integrated into the Reading Course/Seminar Proposal, taught by Muhammad Izzul Haq, S.Sos., MSc., Ph.D, and centered on the theme “The Dynamics of Data Collection and Analysis”—a critical competency for students developing rigorous social research. Drawing from his professional and academic experience, Rifaat offered both practical insights and critical reflections on the realities of working with data in the field.

He emphasized that data should not be reduced to numbers or documents, but understood as “stories, evidence, and the foundation for decision-making” . At the same time, he noted the gap between expectation and reality: data is often incomplete, biased, or difficult to obtain, requiring persistence and adaptability from researchers.

Rifaat highlighted several key determinants of successful data collection, including clarity of research objectives, well-developed instruments, the ability to build trust with respondents, and flexibility in navigating field conditions. He encouraged students to begin with a fundamental question: “What data do I actually need?”—a guiding principle in identifying relevant and credible sources.

Turning to data analysis, Rifaat framed it as a process of sense-making: transforming raw data into meaningful insight. He outlined a systematic analytical flow—cleaning, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting—each stage playing a crucial role in ensuring both the validity and relevance of research findings.

Crucially, he underscored that the true value of data lies not in the data itself, but in the insights it generates. “Data does not stop at numbers. It must be analyzed, understood, and communicated to create impact,” he noted. Without insight, data risks becoming little more than noise.

The session was met with strong engagement from students, who gained not only conceptual clarity but also a grounded understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in social research. Through initiatives like this, the IKS program reaffirms its commitment to bridging theory and practice by drawing on the lived experiences of its alumni.

This collaboration between IKS and AKSES is expected to continue as part of a broader effort to strengthen alumni networks and cultivate an academic ecosystem that remains responsive to professional demands and the evolving landscape of social welfare practice.