SAS Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), has announced the winners of the Malaysia Data Innovation Talent x DOSM Datathon 2023. The event, under the theme 'Smart Data Empower Malaysia's Future', aims to cultivate data innovation skills among universities.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Asia Pacific University, and University of Nottingham Malaysia secured the first, second, and third positions, respectively. A total of 400 participants, grouped in 100 teams from 19 universities, took part to analyse and address complex issues specific to Malaysia and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prof. Ts. Dr. Haryani Haron, Assistant Vice Chancellor, College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics (UiTM), highlighted the importance of data analytics innovation and real-world problem solving in curricular activities. Bank Negara Malaysia stressed on supporting and developing analytics talent pool for Malaysia's technological growth and achieving the Fourth Industrial Revolution goals.

Mr. Zuraidy Zainal Abidin, Director Malaysia Statistical Training Institute, DOSM, lauded the talents showcased during the event, and emphasized the need to close the gap between the demand and supply of data analytics. Queenie Wong, Director, Customer Advisory, SAS Institute, predicted the data analytics market in Malaysia to reach US$1.9 billion in 2025. She praised the students' data analytical skills which she believes will contribute significantly towards building a technologically advanced economy.

The winning teams presented projects that tackled food security concerns, income inequality and environmental pollutants. They represented Faculties of Science and Technology, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences, respectively, from their universities.