Harnessing Data for Social Impact and Future Innovation

Denodo, a prominent leader in data management, has opened registration for its latest University Challenge, "Data for Social Change: Improve Life Expectancy." This initiative is part of the Denodo Academic Program, which equips students with essential skills in data and analytics. The program offers virtual, self-paced training modules, live workshops, and hands-on experience with the Denodo Platform. The challenge encourages university students to use data to address critical social issues, with a specific focus on improving life expectancy. The registration deadline for the challenge is October 27th.

The Denodo Academic Program is designed to prepare students for data-driven careers by providing them with real-world, practical training. Through the program, students learn how to integrate, manage, and deliver data, gaining skills essential for tackling complex data projects. The University Challenge first launched in 2023, focusing on improving air quality in Europe. This year, the challenge shifts its focus to social issues, reflecting Denodo’s commitment to addressing environment, social, and governance (ESG) concerns, with a particular emphasis on extending life expectancy.

Participants will engage in a comprehensive data project, which is divided into three key phases: Integrate, Manage, and Deliver. During the Integrate phase, students will use Denodo Express, the free version of Denodo's data virtualization platform, to connect various datasets and create virtual views. In the Manage phase, they will develop data governance rules around these views to ensure the integrity and security of the data. Finally, in the Deliver phase, participants will analyze the data and present their findings in the most effective format, making decisions that demonstrate their ability to improve life expectancy through data-driven insights. Teams will be evaluated on their ability to integrate, manage, and deliver data in a way that best serves the challenge's objectives.

The University Challenge has already proven to be a valuable learning experience for participants. Manuel Rodriguez, a former Boston University student and winner of the previous challenge, shared how participating in the program helped him gain deep insights into Europe’s climate situation, an experience that ultimately led to his current role as a product developer at Denodo. Other participants, such as María Vidal and Luis Mayán from the University of A Coruña, Spain, noted the challenge's positive impact on their teamwork and problem-solving skills. Although their team did not win, they valued the experience of working under pressure and being recognized as finalists.

Denodo’s chief technology officer, Alberto Pan, expressed his admiration for the creativity and technical expertise shown by previous participants. He emphasized his curiosity about how this year’s students will approach the challenge of improving life expectancy through data. The challenge allows students to not only showcase their technical abilities but also to think critically about how data can be used for social good.

The winning team will be rewarded with several prestigious prizes, including unlimited access to Denodo’s on-demand training courses and certification exams, which are valued at up to $7,000. In addition, the winners will receive an exclusive Denodo Winner Badge, which will help them communicate their proficiency in data management to potential employers. They will also be invited to assist at a local Denodo DataFest event, offering further opportunities to network and gain experience in the field.

This year’s challenge underscores Denodo’s commitment to fostering the next generation of data professionals while addressing pressing social issues. By encouraging students to use data to improve life expectancy, Denodo is not only advancing the field of data analytics but also promoting the use of technology to make a positive impact on society.