How diversity is powering the future of data and ESG in the Middle East and Africa
Diversity is no longer just a buzzword; it is a powerful driver of progress in data science. When you bring in different perspectives, backgrounds and ideas, magic happens – and in analytics, that magic is exactly what we need to tackle global challenges.
Around the world, institutions like the Arab Academy for Management, Banking and Financial Sciences (AAMBFS) are leading this charge. In tandem with SAS, it’s bringing together young professionals eager to use data for meaningful, positive change in their communities and beyond.
The power of diversity in analytics
Imagine a group of data scientists and professionals with as many different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives as possible, each bringing unique insights. Imagine the solutions that could come from a diverse team, tackling everything from environmental issues to social inequality. That’s the vision behind AAMBFS’s ESG & Data for Good Center of Excellence – empowering young professionals with diverse perspectives to harness data science for the greater good.
AAMBFS: Driving data with purpose
The Arab Academy for Management, Banking & Financial Sciences is no traditional academic institution, but an evolving regional hub for purpose-driven innovation. .
With more than 11 branches and offices across the Middle East and Africa, AAMBFS has been pushing boundaries in education. And now, in partnership with SAS, they’ve created a platform unlike any other: The ESG & Data for Good Center of Excellence.
So, what makes this Center stand out? It’s not just another data science course. The center aims to blend Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with cutting-edge analytics, all aimed at empowering young people to create positive change.
Building skills that matter
Sure, this center provides technical knowledge and skills, through their programs, events and publications, but it goes beyond that. The ESG & Data for Good CoE is designed to help participants understand the “why” behind their work. Why does this analysis matter? Who will it impact? How can data drive sustainable and equitable changes?
Participants are tackling real-world projects that involve engaging with communities and industries to solve problems that matter. And it’s not just AAMBFS and SAS at the table; there’s a strong emphasis on collaboration with industry experts, research institutions, and government agencies to ensure these young data scientists get the support and insight they need to succeed.
"ESG is not an isolated framework—it's intertwined and empowered by Data for Good, forming a solid base for transition and a successful mechanism where data analytics and technology drive sustainable endeavors forward." Ms. Safi El Essawy (Head of ESG and Market Development, ESG & Data for Good Center of Excellence).
SAS brings the tech, AAMBFS brings the insight
This platform wouldn’t be possible without the powerhouse combination of SAS analytics tools and AAMBFS’s deep regional expertise.
SAS provides the technology, enabling students and professionals to work with some of the best tools in the industry, while AAMBFS connects these tools to the specific needs and challenges of communities across the Middle East and Africa.
This ESG and Data for Good program isn’t an isolated initiative; it is energized year-round by our ongoing engagement across industry, research institutes, and governmental authorities to develop ecosystems where ideas can thrive and solutions to evolve environmental, social, and governance challenges.
Real-world impact: Changing lives through data
What’s especially powerful about this Center of Excellence is that it doesn’t end in the knowledge delivered in its different formats. Beneficiaries are going out into their communities and making a difference. Some are starting their own sustainable businesses; others are applying data science to social issues like education or health care and several are reshaping the ESG policies within their own institutions. They’re proving that data can be a force for good – one data point at a time.
Their impact driven vision was evident in the latest series of events that took place during the pre-launch of the Center of Excellence. In addition to the domain-leader guest speakers frequenting their unique platform to share knowledge in sessions, meetups and roundtables, they hosted one of the region’s most recent mega events in Cairo, Egypt. The Center of Excellence organized the SAS Forecasting Workshop and Hackathon for Sustainability and Data 4 Good that offered a unique gateway for over 80 young innovators to dive into the field of advanced forecasting and apply their skills to real-world challenges, driving positive impact.
Their vision goes beyond boarders aiming to foster a greater community of innovators using their learned and applied skills to create sustainable solutions to real-world problems. This isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s an example of how data-driven solutions can make a tangible impact.
A commitment to lasting change
At its core, this is about much more than data or diversity. It’s about creating a new generation of leaders who see the world differently and who understand that data isn’t just numbers on a screen – it’s a tool for building a better future.
AAMBFS and SAS aren’t just talking about diversity in analytics; they’re living it, committing to nurturing practices and initiatives that bring fresh perspectives into the field.
Ready to join the data revolution?
If you’re a student, or a professional who wants to use data to make a difference, this platform is for you. The ESG & Data for Good Center of Excellence is looking for passionate, driven individuals ready to join the next generation of data leaders. Think that sounds like you?
Here’s how to get involved:
- Visit the ESG & Data for Good Center of Excellence website: The website
- Register to be part of the community and engage in all programs and events
- Submit your membership application and start your ESG & Data for Good journey!
Author: Ms Safi El Essawy
Editor : Nazira Ameerudeen
