Building Responsible AI: How UNSW Students and SAS Are Shaping the Future of Data Science In today’s data-driven world, building AI models is no longer just about achieving technical accuracy. It’s about balancing precision with ethical responsibility. The rapid adoption of AI has created new opportunities across industries, but it has also brought significant governance challenges. Ensuring that systems are transparent, fair, and secure is critical—especially when they influence decisions in lending, credit scoring, and fraud detection. Without proper oversight, biased algorithms can result in unfair treatment of customers, regulatory penalties, and a loss of public trust. Devanga Kumarage - Customer Success Intern at @SAS | Final year bachelor of commerce and informations systems student   For me, this reality came into sharp focus after earning my SAS Certification in Business Analytics. I was eager to apply what I had learned in a hands-on setting, and I found that opportunity through my capstone project at UNSW. Together with my team, I explored home loan datasets to predict defaults among borrowers—a challenge that required not only technical expertise but also a strong focus on fairness and interpretability.   Applying SAS Tools to Real-World Challenges Using SAS Viya, I was able to combine insights from my coursework with the advanced capabilities of the platform. What struck me most was how accessible SAS makes AI and analytics: even those from non-technical backgrounds can quickly build and test models. Features like automation of data preparation, imputation, and transformation, as well as support for ensemble modeling, made the process efficient and powerful. Our analysis revealed key predictors of loan default, such as the number of derogatory reports and delinquent credit lines. But beyond identifying risk, our goal was to make these insights understandable to all stakeholders—technical experts, business leaders, and customers alike. To achieve this, we developed an interactive prototype in Figma. By entering customer information, users could see the predicted risk category, the likelihood of default, and the underlying factors driving the prediction. The prototype even generated tailored loan recommendations based on the assessment. This layer of explainability was crucial. In banking, where lending decisions can significantly shape a person’s financial future, it isn’t enough for a model to be accurate. It must also be transparent and interpretable.   Beyond the Model: Building Confidence and Skills This project was about more than technical application. Every two weeks, my team presented our progress to stakeholders, which pushed me to refine my communication and public speaking skills. Over time, I became more confident in explaining complex AI models to diverse audiences. One of my proudest moments came during the ‘Girls in Tech’ event, where I introduced high school students to the possibilities of careers in data and technology. Sharing how SAS tools can make advanced analytics both accessible and impactful was a rewarding way to inspire the next generation. My journey didn’t end there. I’ve continued to grow by participating in the SAS Viya for Learners Challenge, where I am exploring new and innovative applications of SAS Viya and SAS Viya Workbench.   SAS & UNSW: Partnering for Student Success This work is part of a broader, ongoing collaboration between SAS and UNSW Employability. For the third consecutive year, we’ve partnered through the CDEV3000 Practice of Work and CDEV6000 Partnered Work Project. Related: How students are using analytics to address poverty   Recently, we welcomed a talented cohort of UNSW students to our Sydney office, where they showcased their preliminary solutions against the stunning backdrop of our city views. During their presentations, they shared ideas, assumptions, and potential implementation challenges. They also received invaluable feedback from SAS experts including Jonathan Butow, Marife O. Heijster, and Gavin Long, which will help them refine their projects further.     These students will present their final solutions to the SAS Lane Cove office, demonstrating not only their enhanced technical skills but also the ability to deliver practical, industry-ready solutions.   Looking Ahead This partnership continues to deliver value on multiple fronts. For students, it provides real-world experience, professional growth, and industry mentorship. For SAS, it sparks fresh ideas and innovative thinking, reinforcing our role in shaping the future of responsible AI and data science. As we look toward the final presentations and beyond, we remain committed to empowering the next generation of data leaders—equipping them not just with technical skills, but also with the ethical mindset needed to build AI that truly serves society.   Want to get involved? Learn more about SAS and its academic programs. ... View more

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 ... View more

For the Curious, Passionate, and Creative   In a world facing a number of challenges, the future presents exciting opportunities to make a real impact. Data has become central to nearly every aspect of society, offering unlimited potential limited only by imagination. At the heart of this transformation are SAS data and AI solutions, which provides global organisations with trusted insights during critical moments—fuelling bold innovation across industries. For decades, SAS has partnered with universities to nurture the next generation of analytics leaders. Yet, the global demand for analytics talent continues to outpace supply. A recent McKinsey survey highlighted a significant shortage of qualified professionals in key tech areas, reflecting a persistent skills gap across the STEM landscape. Despite this, immense opportunities exist for both educational institutions preparing future tech leaders and students looking to gain a competitive edge in their careers. This Lunch & Learn workshop was held in collaboration with:              Students explored how data and analytics could shape their futures, while sharing the inspiring ways these skills had already empowered countless graduates to succeed.                                     The session covered: SAS Skill Builder Program Overview – Students were introduced to free e-learning resources and valuable certification pathways recognised by industry leaders. • Hands-on Experience with the NEW SAS® Workbench for Learners – Attendees explored a cloud-based compute environment perfect for working on data science projects using SAS or Python.  Connecting with Employers Seeking SAS Skills – The workshop highlighted the @sas.ribit.net platform, which connects skilled students with organizations actively seeking analytics talent. Keen to join in future activities – Register your interest on the SAS® Student Connection program here: https://www.sas.com/en_au/learn/academic-programs/resources/student-series.html   ... View more