Inspiring the Next Generation: SAS Summer Schools 2025 in Life Science and Financial Analytics
How can we better connect academic learning with industry experience? The SAS Summer Schools 2025 did exactly that, offering data science students hands-on insights into Finance and Life Science analytics, and attracting more than 1,500 participants worldwide.
Data Science is no longer just a hype – it’s an established discipline.
And since it’s a true “science,” it’s no surprise that more universities around the world now offer dedicated degree programs in data science, with numbers still growing.
A Data Scientist is often seen as a generalist, someone familiar with a wide range of methods to extract valuable insights from data. This flexibility allows them to work across many industries and learn the specifics of each field on the job. However, many discussions today focus on job-readiness. Everyone knows that university studies alone don’t cover everything needed for a smooth start in a company. So why not provide students with tangible, industry-specific experiences that enrich their learning?
That idea led to the creation of two SAS Summer Schools in 2025:
- One focused on Life Science Analytics, held as a hybrid event at the University of Cambridge’s Maxwell Centre.
- Another dedicated to Finance Analytics, conducted entirely online.
Together, they attracted more than 1,500 students, clear proof that the concept resonated. The goal was to offer the right mix of theory, hands-on learning, and real-world expertise. At the Life Science School, for instance, SAS experts were joined by external speakers and consultants from leading pharmaceutical companies.
Highlights included sessions on:
- How AI supports innovation in Life Sciences.
- Insights into career paths in the sector.
- Discussions on the impact of Agentic AI.
Students also:
- Worked on a real use case using SAS technology.
- Learned from a Curiosity Cup 2025 winner team about a cancer detection project.
- Joined a talent connection session with AstraZeneca.
- Ended with a panel discussion featuring several industry voices.
The feedback of participants was amazing, and we ourselves were surprised of how much energy we felt during these two days. We hope that we have inspired many people who attended, and we are offering as a next step more content and use cases for students who want to take that pathway.
A big thank-you to all speakers, stakeholders, and students for making the SAS Summer Schools 2025 such a success! With such strong engagement, one thing was clear right after the events: we’ll continue this offering in 2026.
Didn’t get a chance to join live? You can still explore key sessions and insights on demand:
