Cultivating Innovation: Malaysia’s Aspiring Data Scientists Take Center Stage
In a formidable display of analytics and innovation, the Malaysia Data Innovation Talent x DOSM Datathon 2023 has crowned its champions. A collaboration between SAS Institute, a global powerhouse in AI and analytics, and leading Malaysian institutions including The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), has put a spotlight on the burgeoning talent of the nation’s future data scientists.
Nurturing Skills for a Data-Driven Future
The datathon, echoing the theme ‘Smart Data Empower Malaysia’s Future,’ was not just a competition but a crucible for nurturing data innovation skills among university students. A staggering number of participants, 400 to be exact, grouped into 100 teams from 19 universities, dived into the depths of complex data, emerging with solutions to some of Malaysia’s most pressing issues in line with select Sustainable Development Goals.
A Competitive Edge in Analytics
The grueling competition culminated in a live pitching session where the top 10 teams showcased their groundbreaking projects. Out of these, the three projects that stole the limelight addressed pivotal concerns: food security, income inequality, and environmental pollutants.
Prof. Ts. Dr. Haryani Haron, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics (KPPIM) at UiTM, shared, “The bi-annual datathon is in line with our UiTM 2025 Strategic Plan to proactively respond to changes, developments and current needs such as the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) and the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. This event plays an integral part in cultivating analytics innovation and exposing our students to working on real-world data and solving current societal challenges.”
Building a Robust Talent Pipeline
The event’s significance was further emphasized by Mr. Zuraidy Zainal Abidin, Director of the Malaysia Statistical Training Institute at DOSM, “The need to support and develop our analytics talent pool is a core focus for us, as we look to drive Malaysia’s digital transformation and build its technological capabilities to support the Fourth Industrial Revolution mandate. We are proud of the enthusiasm and talents showcased at this datathon and we look forward to seeing more passionate skilled data scientists joining the industry.”
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Impressive Analytics Skills Showcased
With the big data analytics market in Malaysia expected to grow significantly, Queenie Wong, Director of Customer Advisory at SAS Institute, remarked on the crucial role of the datathon, “According to IDC, the big data analytics market in Malaysia is expected to grow to US$1.9 billion in 2025. However, demand for data analytics continues to outstrip current supply. Being part of this datathon demonstrates our commitment to invest in analytics education, and to support Malaysia’s progress as a data-driven nation. We are impressed by the data analytical skills that the students demonstrated, going beyond technical skills to deeper critical thinking and collaboration. These skills are crucial for Malaysia’s workforce as we achieve our goals of becoming a technologically advanced economy.”
The Champions of Data Innovation
The winners have set a high benchmark for future competitions. The first prize was claimed by Team Rookie Patchers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, with their project “Food For Thought: Decoding Malaysia’s Future in Food Security.” Following them were Team the Guys from Asia Pacific University, focusing on “A Comprehensive Analysis between Poverty and Economic Inequality,” and Team LionHearts from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, who delivered “Breathing in Malaysia: An In-Depth Analysis of Pollutant Origins, Contributors & Impacts.”
These projects did not just win accolades but also highlighted the critical role data science plays in national development and the pivotal contributions young minds are ready to offer. It’s a testament to the intellectual prowess being harnessed within Malaysia’s higher education landscape, poised to steer the nation towards a future where data isn’t just understood but effectively utilized for sustainable growth and innovation.
