UQ Master of Data Science Capstone with SAS

[Lucia_Biasi]

In a world shaped by data, tomorrow’s leaders need more than just technical skills—they need real-world experience to make impact-driven decisions. That’s exactly what students from The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Master of Data Science program gain through their capstone projects. And this year, they took on a challenge that hits close to home: Australia’s mortgage

UQ’s Master of Data Science is one of Australia’s most comprehensive data science program - ombining advanced analytics, computing, statistics, and mathematics with electives spanning business, finance, health, and science. The program culminates in a capstone project that brings together everything students have learned in an applied, end-to-end data science challenge.

This year, UQ partnered with SAS to address real-world issues in the banking sector. The focus: developing data-driven home loan origination models to improve risk management amid rising interest rates, funding pressures, and increasing default risks.

A Hands-On Learning Experience with Real Impact

Students worked with SAS Viya for Learners, building predictive models, segmenting borrowers, and analysing market trends, regulatory challenges, and risk exposure. With guidance from SAS experts including Lily Clarke (Sr Customer Success Manager), who offered valuable insights into presenting analytics in a professional setting - students refined their communication and technical skills for industry readiness.

They later shared their findings and project outcomes at the SAS Brisbane office, highlighting how data science can directly inform better lending decisions in a complex financial landscape.

Real Collaboration, Real Outcomes

Capstone team members—Daqiang Guo, Duc Hiep Pham, Pik Ying Wong, Ziyinyue Zeng, and Ananthasai Santhanagopalan—led by UQ academic supervisor Dr. Yayong Li, demonstrated how academic rigour meets industry relevance. Their work not only addressed a national issue but also showcased how emerging talent can drive innovation in finance using SAS tools.

Student Reflections: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Pik Ying Wong shared,

"My industry capstone project with SAS provided the perfect opportunity to apply my skills to real-world datasets. I regularly shared project ideas and received feedback from SAS and academic mentors, helping me refine my final model. I also learned to use tools like SAS Viya to build and compare machine learning models and present insights using impactful visualisations. This project is now a valuable addition to my portfolio, and I’m excited to share the experience with future employers."

Ziyinyue Zeng, also a Master of Data Science student, reflected:

"Participating in the capstone with SAS was one of the most rewarding parts of my program. I applied what I had learned in machine learning, data wrangling, and model evaluation to a real-world challenge in Australia’s mortgage industry. Working in a cross-functional team and receiving feedback from both our academic supervisor and SAS mentors helped sharpen my technical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. Presenting our work at the SAS Brisbane office was a proud moment—and a real confidence booster as I look toward a career in applied analytics."

Why Partner in a Capstone Project?

Collaborating with UQ and SAS delivers mutual benefits for students and industry sponsors alike:

• Access to emerging SAS technologies and real-world use cases
• Talent pipeline development, identifying future-ready data science professionals
• Structured collaboration with university supervisors and support teams
• Meaningful contributions to solving real industry problems with practical, actionable insights

The capstone partnership between SAS and UQ not only delivers value to students - it strengthens the data science ecosystem by preparing graduates who are both technically equipped and industry-ready. As these future data leaders step into the workforce, programs like this ensure they’re already making a measurable difference.

Learn more about SAS Academic Programs.

👉 Read more: How STEM graduates are enhancing financial crime detection in the banking industry