OCTAVE sponsors Data Storm 1.0
OCTAVE, the John Keells Group Centre of Excellence for Big Data Analytics, is the sole sponsor of Data Storm 1.0, the first ever Datathon conducted in association with the University of Moratuwa. The aim of this two-day Advanced Analytics competition is to pioneer curiosity in Data and Advanced Analytics among the innovative youth. The first stage of the competition was conducted on the Kaggle online platform. A panel of lecturers shortlisted 21 teams by assessing the scores of the Kaggle Competition as well as the written submissions submitted by the competing teams. The finalists will proceed to the next stage of the competition on the 29th of February 2020 and participate in a 7-hour datathon conducted at the John Keells Auditorium. Data Storm 1.0 is organised by Rotaract Club of University of Moratuwa and Rotaract Club of Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. On 22nd February 2020, an engaging seminar was held for the eager contestants at the Civil Auditorium of University of Moratuwa.
Dr Amal Shehan Perera, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Director – DataSEARCH at the University of Moratuwa delivered a lecture on Data Science Tools and how Advanced Analytics aided a Dengue Prevention initiative in 2019.
Yolan Seimon, the Head of OCTAVE, shared the story of how OCTAVE was established with the intention to drive JKH towards becoming more data driven in its operational and strategic decision making. He shared the aspiration to institutionalize the Advanced Analytics capability at JKH, by building a world class data and advanced analytics practice at OCTAVE with the support of a global consultancy firm. Participants of Data Storm 1.0 will be assessed as part of the OCTAVE recruitment program, and several candidates would be hired to work on an OCTAVE graduate program. They will have the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with globally renowned experts in Data Science and Data Engineering while gaining rich practical experience in solving real-life business problems.
Ruwan Sri Wickramarathna and Devmie Wannakuwatte, two Data Scientists from OCTAVE, also presented two advanced analytics models developed by OCTAVE. Ruwan talked about the model developed by OCTAVE to assess Promotional Effectiveness at Keells, while Devmie discussed the Lapse Prevention Use Case developed for Union Assurance PLC that helps proactively reduce premature lapsation of life insurance policies.
