| Danial Norjidi |
THE importance of data analytics was highlighted during the opening of the ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ADSE) Competition 2018 National Finals for Brunei Darussalam at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) yesterday.
In her speech, UTB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman said that data comes from various sources, extending beyond the traditional corporate database to include e-mails, mobile device outputs and sensor generated data and she noted that this is growing at a significant rate.
“Data analytics is a way of extracting value or insight from these huge volumes of information, and it is more than cost cutting but it definitely drives new business opportunities, productivity improvement and maximises customer retention.
“Realising the importance of Data Analytics today, UTB through the School of Computing and Informatics, is accepting applications into BSc (Hons) in Computing with Data Analytics since 2017, aiming to provide ICT manpower skills and research in Data Analytics,” she said.
The School of Computing and Informatics is also organising the 3rd International Conference on Computational Intelligence in Information Systems in November this year with the theme, ‘Data-Driven Innovation: New R&D Across Economy’.
ASEAN Foundation Representative Mahmudi Yusbi shared that the ASEAN Foundation and SAP collaborate in a strategic partnership to create a positive social impact in ASEAN member states.
One of the flagship programmes under this partnership is the ADSE, which he explained builds the ASEAN human resource and ICT capacity among youth in the region and prepares them for the digital economy.
He shared that the vision is to propel ASEAN towards a digitally-enabled economy that is secure, sustainable, transformative and to enable an innovative, inclusive and integrated ASEAN community.
“The ADSE is promoting ASEAN awareness among youth across the region through Data Analytics competition using the SAP Analytics Cloud,” he said, noting that the programme provides an avenue for youth to learn and understand socio- economic issues across six of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“The programme also provides a platform for youth to continue building the ASEAN community through Data Analytics-based recommendations to address the issues,” he affirmed.
“All in all, the ASEAN Foundation is pleased to partner with SAP to enhance the digital literacy skills among youth across the ASEAN region. I believe these digital literacy skills enhancements will accelerate the establishment of a dynamic and resilient ASEAN community,” he added.