Vietnamese students win ASEAN Data Science Explorers 2020

PSNews - Two Vietnamese students from RMIT University Vietnam won the first prize at the Regional finals of ASEAN Data Science Explorers 2020 (ADSE 2020) with the project  “People with Disability: Unblocking the Economic Bottleneck”.

The final round of ADSE 2020 recently took place in an online format. The Vietnamese team “Catfish”, made up of teammates Hoa Phung and Thinh Nguyen from RMIT University Vietnam, claimed first place. During the competition, the pair presented their project which focused on the statement of “People with Disability: Unblocking the Economic Bottleneck”.

Addressing the awards ceremony, Thomas Zipperle, chief financial officer of SAP Southeast Asia, stressed that the ADSE programme serves to demonstrate the cultural diversity that SAP aims to celebrate, whilst also embracing the ASEAN region.

Photo: ASEAN Foundation.
Photo: ASEAN Foundation.

“Digital skills are essential for the workforce of today and the future. SAP Analytics Cloud aims to bridge the digital gap in ASEAN and empower youths to create sustainable innovations to address socio-economic issues," Zipperle added.

In response, Yang Mee Eng, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said that both the ASEAN Foundation and SAP share the common objective of providing young people with future-proof skills. It is hoped that by educating the youth, it will enable them to thrive in an ever-changing world and will ultimately support the theme of Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship, which is building a “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”.

The first runner-up position and the second runner-up spot belonged to team Halcyon Seraph (ASEAN Women-UP Township Network) and team Psyduck (Digital Integration, the Key to Growth) respectively. Team Halcyon Seraph comprised Koay Tze Min and Ng Yi Ming from the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College, while team Psyduck made up of Oscar Fang Jack Ling and Quah Chun Meng from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. 

As reported, the organizing board received a total of 852 proposals in this year’s competition. Judges then evaluated each entrant based on their ability to collect, analyse, and present data, as well as the concepts which best tackle ASEAN socio-economic issues.

Starting in 2017, ASEAN DSE is a collaboration scheme that is held annually between the ASEAN Foundation and SAP.

The scheme serves as a reliable avenue for young people in ASEAN to improve their data analytical skills whilst bringing about greater digital inclusion in the region. It has also empowered up to 16,309 students and 1,420 lecturers from 370 institutions across ASEAN through data science skills.

By Linh Bui

Other News

Vietnam targets at least 10 large strategic technology firms by 2030

Vietnam targets at least 10 large strategic technology firms by 2030

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has signed a decision approving a plan to develop large domestic strategic technology enterprises in the 2026–2030 period, aimed at advancing digital infrastructure, digital human resources, digital data, strategic technologies and cybersecurity.

Protecting users crucial in building digital trust: Experts

Protecting users crucial in building digital trust: Experts

In Vietnam, digital transformation in the finance and banking sector is accelerating cashless payments, expanding access to financial services, improving market transparency and supporting economic growth and macroeconomic management.

Fostering skilled workforce for innovation era: experts

Fostering skilled workforce for innovation era: experts

Experts said close coordination among State management agencies, research institutes, universities, and businesses will improve training quality and serve the dual goals of quality education and practical research application.

Startup forum bridges Silicon Valley and local innovation ecosystem

Startup forum bridges Silicon Valley and local innovation ecosystem

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Saigon Asset Management (SAM), and Plug and Play Tech Centre co-hosted the “From Vietnam to Silicon Valley” forum, exploring AI innovation, venture capital, and pathways to integrate Vietnam’s startup ecosystem with Silicon Valley and global markets.

Experts call for stronger action against fake news online

Experts call for stronger action against fake news online

Experts have warned that fake news, misinformation and harmful online content are increasingly shaping public perceptions, particularly among young people, and stressed the need for stronger legal safeguards, technology tools and wider dissemination of credible information to tackle the problem effectively.

Protecting digital future in post-quantum, AI era

Protecting digital future in post-quantum, AI era

Participants highlighted the importance of building a proactive, synchronised and sustainable national cybersecurity ecosystem through closer cooperation among regulators, technology firms, research institutions and cybersecurity experts.

Vietnam attends SAHA 2026 defence, aerospace exhibition in Türkiye

Vietnam attends SAHA 2026 defence, aerospace exhibition in Türkiye

Vietnam’s participation in SAHA 2026 International Defence & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul reflects the country’s consistent policy of enhancing international defence integration and promoting defence industry cooperation towards self-reliance, self-strengthening, modernisation and dual-use development.

SK Group partners to build AI ecosystem in Vietnam

SK Group partners to build AI ecosystem in Vietnam

SK Innovation and SK Telecom signed MoUs with Nghe An province and the National Innovation Centre of Vietnam to advance AI ecosystem development and support the country’s long-term growth strategy.

Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship for 2026-2030 approved

Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship for 2026-2030 approved

Under the Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship (VREF) for the 2026–2030 period, PhD students are identified as a core research force directly contributing to breakthroughs in sci-tech and innovation. Investing in top-tier doctoral candidates is more than workforce development, but a high-stakes strategic bet to forge a cohort of world-class scientists and technologists who can power Vietnam’s long-term economic ambitions.