Why the SAS Curiosity Cup is a winner for both students and universities
As I write, we are in the final stages of this year’s SAS Curiosity Cup. The ten finalists have been selected from among the 52 entrants. They have submitted their final video presentations, which are now with the judging team. We are all eagerly awaiting the announcement of the final result—the winner and runner up in each of the three domains (data preparation, data analysis, and data presentation).
The ten finalist teams have all shown that they can use data science and analytics to address a real-world problem. However, discussions suggest that many have learned a lot more than just data science from participation.
Setting an example
The team that I have been most involved with is T(h)ree Sentinel, a team of three from Babeş-Bolyai University, in Romania. Bianca Marian, Lucian Cotolan and Adina Tilea have spent several months developing a machine learning model that uses satellite images to detect deforestation in Romania. Their aim was, as far as possible, to remove human subjectivity from the process of monitoring for deforestation. This, they felt, would reduce the potential for corruption of the process. Their best model has an 81% success rate in detecting deforestation.
The team joined the challenge because they wanted to learn more about data science and analytics. However, when they were asked about the most valuable and enjoyable part of the challenge, all three cited working together in a team. This is particularly interesting because teamwork is one of those skills that employers always want—and that those new to the workplace often find it hardest to demonstrate. This suggests that opportunities like the SAS Curiosity Cup give students a chance to develop some extremely valuable skills, and that data and analytics may be the least of those.
Showcasing skills
Darie Moldovan is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Babeş-Bolyai University. He believes that challenges like the SAS Curiosity Cup are important for students because it gives them a chance to step outside their usual academic assignments and do something different.
“The benefits of participating in a competition like this go far beyond the chance to win a prize. It offers students the chance to embark on a rewarding journey of discovery, from finding a fascinating research topic, to sourcing and analysing data, and finally crafting a well-written paper that showcases their analytical prowess. The journey itself is an incredibly rewarding experience for any team of curious and ambitious students.”
He also notes that getting into the final of a competition like this helps students to stand out from the crowd when looking for a job or applying to graduate schools for further studies. It shows that they have been able to apply their skills and knowledge in a highly competitive environment—and that is only going to look good to a future employer.
Enhancing reputations
Encouraging students to enter competitions like the SAS Curiosity Cup has benefits for more than just the finalists. Darie Moldovan believes that their institutions also benefit.
“These competitions provide a platform for academic communities to identify their rising stars. The prestige of the universities involved can also be enhanced by their students’ success in competitions like this. As well as recognizing individual excellence, the competition also acts as a barometer for the relevance of academic research topics in the eyes of business professionals serving on the jury. These professionals bring a real-world perspective to the evaluation process and can help ensure that academic research remains grounded in practical application.”
In other words, competitions like the SAS Curiosity Cup benefit both students and the academic community by promoting innovative research and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. However, from the point of view of someone working in the ‘real world’, I would say they also have benefits for future employers.
Highlighting potential
Students who have shown that they are capable of succeeding in competitions like this are far more employable. Potential employers know that student finalists have the necessary skills to address real-world problems, and can recruit them with confidence. However, the signals go beyond the individuals themselves. Employers are also likely to draw inferences about the nature of the institutions that are turning out students with these skills—and therefore about the abilities of other students from the same courses.
For companies like SAS, it means more people with analytical skills, but also other workplace skills. The benefits are widespread and proven—from all angles.
