Learning Legends | The Trainer who learns with you
In this edition of our Learning Legends series, I’m proud to introduce someone who truly brings spirit and skill to our classrooms: Nithin Ramu. Based in our Belgium office near Brussels, Nithin has been part of SAS Education since 2021. He started right in the middle of the pandemic—and jumped head-first into helping people learn.
Today, he’s not only teaching but also shaping the learning experience by developing new course content, especially for Visual Analytics.
Let’s step into his story.
“I love reading feedback emails—even on weekends.”
When I asked Nithin what gets him out of bed with a smile, his answer was simple and genuine: reading learner feedback. Every course sends out an evaluation, and most of the time, it’s full of appreciation.
“It’s the first thing I check in the morning,” he told me. “Even if I finish a course on Friday, I read the feedback on Sunday. It motivates me for the next one.”
That joy of helping others is what keeps him going. As a trainer, he doesn’t just transfer knowledge—he makes someone’s job easier, more efficient, or even possible. And that, as Nithin says, “is the real impact.”
Facing Challenges
One of the biggest challenges Nithin faced was teaching a group of highly experienced users—people who had been working with SAS since before he was born. They were moving from SAS 9 to Viya and were sceptical: what could this young trainer teach them?
He stayed calm, admitted when he didn’t know an answer, and followed up after the course with carefully researched responses. “As a trainer, you don’t need to know everything on the spot,” he says. “But you do need to know how to find it—and be honest.”
It’s a humble but powerful lesson: credibility isn’t about knowing it all. It’s about staying curious, supportive, and reliable.
Big Value for Learners
Thanks to Belgium’s small trainer team, Nithin quickly became familiar with nearly every aspect of SAS software—from SAS Programming and Visual Analytics to open-source integration and machine learning. That broad understanding is now his biggest strength.
“I try to show the bigger picture. Sometimes a problem has more than one answer — and knowing the options really helps.”
A wide-angle view of SAS software
Thanks to Belgium’s small trainer team, Nithin quickly became familiar with nearly every aspect of SAS software—from data preparation to reporting and machine learning. That broad understanding is now his biggest strength.
“When learners come to me with a problem, I often know several ways to solve it using different tools,” he says. “That’s the value I bring—showing them the full picture.”
Different Groups, Different Needs
One of the biggest surprises for Nithin? The variety of learners.
“Some companies are very advanced in analytics. Others are just starting, still using Excel for data management. So you have to adjust — speak their language.”
Even in company-specific trainings, there are often different departments in the same room, each with its own skill level. “You can’t please everyone 100%, but you can aim for that sweet spot where most people stay with you — and the stronger learners can support others.”
It’s not easy. But it’s real-life learning.
Education is changing—and that’s exciting
Nithin believes that learning today is becoming more focused and flexible. And that’s a good thing.
“You see it in e-learning: short, focused videos, clear objectives. People want to learn in smaller chunks, at their own pace. It makes learning more personal.”
He also sees learners taking more responsibility. “They ask more questions. They explore tools on their own. That’s exciting.”
And of course, Nithin is keeping a close eye on how AI will shape the future of training. “AI can be like a learning partner,” he says. “Just like I use it to practise Spanish, you could use it to practise SAS. It’s like having a coach with you anytime — helping you repeat, reflect, and not forget.”
Nithin’s spirit is the spirit of SAS Education
He’s not just a trainer. He’s a listener, a learner, and a leader in the room. He brings heart and expertise to his courses—and learners feel it.
Whether he’s teaching analysts or building new content for Viya, Nithin shows us what modern education looks like: interactive, practical, and deeply human.
Experience it for yourself.
Reading about Nithin is inspiring. But meeting trainers like him in person? That’s unforgettable. Our in-person courses are more than just training—they’re shared experiences where stories, questions, and solutions come alive.
“You feel the energy of the group. You can adjust in real-time. And people ask more questions when they’re not behind a screen. It’s not just about learning faster — it’s about learning together.”
That spirit is something no video can replace.
We’re ready when you are. https://www.sas.com/gms/redirect.jsp?detail=PLN49700_869765461
