KUCHING – Two students from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus’ School of Information and Communication Technologies achieved the runner-up position in the Data Presentation category at the SAS Curiosity Cup 2024 on 17 April 2024.
Their project, titled “Analysing and Forecasting Global Happiness with World Happiness Report Data”, was highly regarded in this global competition.
The SAS Curiosity Cup, organised by analytics leader SAS, is a global data science competition aimed at challenging students to apply their analytical skills to solve real-world problems. The 2024 edition of the Cup involved intense competition among 107 teams from 19 countries, totalling 337 students, who provided innovative analytical solutions to various topics.
The project by the Swinburne Sarawak team, known as the Insight Duo, involved a detailed analysis of the global happiness index. The duo, comprising Shirleen Chuo Tsze Ting and Elaine Ho Yung Hui, under the supervision of Ts Dr Vong Wan Tze from the university’s Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, explored trends in happiness scores and offered new insights into promoting wellbeing and identifying potential areas for strategic interventions using SAS technology.
“Participating in the competition has profoundly enriched my understanding of analytics by merging theoretical knowledge with practical application,” said Ho when describing her experience.
Chuo shared similar sentiments, remarking, “The Cup was more than a competition; it was a gateway that allowed me to challenge myself and delve deeper into the Data Science field.”
Professor Patrick Then Hang Hui, Head of the School of Information and Communication Technologies, said, “The success of our students at the SAS Curiosity Cup 2024 is a testament to their dedication and the quality of education in Sarawak. Their achievements highlight our region’s potential and commitment to fostering world-class educational standards. Congratulations to these young innovators for showcasing the bright future of Sarawak on the global stage.”
Meanwhile, Dr Vong stated that the competition served as an invaluable platform for nurturing young talents in data science.
“Our students have not only applied the knowledge and skills acquired at the School but have also garnered recognition from industry experts who serve as judges in the competition,” she said.
Recognising the importance of data science proficiency in today’s digital era, Swinburne Sarawak is committed to equipping students with vital skills through its computing courses.
These courses include the Bachelor of Computer Science with a Data Science Major, the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology with a minor in Big Data Analytics and the Master of Information Technology with a Specialisation in Data Science. These courses are all designed to equip students with critical in-demand skills for a technology-rich future.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).