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The value that lies within the huge quantities of data being created every second is increasingly being recognised by individuals, businesses and academia. This recognition is certainly on show at the University of Bahrain’s . 

Sawsan Hilal, head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Bahrain and chair of the organising committee for the International Conference on Data Analytics for Business and Industry for the past five years, outlines the aims and impacts of the conference. 

“The conference is about getting to grips with the data era,” Hilal says. “We strive to provide a rich platform for all researchers, from both academia and industry, to share their experiences. By experience, we are specifically referring to the application of data analytics as a tool to extract insights from data and generate actionable information that individuals, companies and other entities can utilise.”

Companies collect vast amounts of information about their employees, operations and various activities. However, this data holds little value unless meaningful insights can be extracted from it. One of the main aims of the International Conference on Data Analytics for Business and Industry is to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications in business and industry, ensuring data can be harnessed to provide genuine value.

“Companies increasingly recognise the need to leverage data as an asset by collaborating with individuals who possess the necessary data analysis skills,” Hilal says. “On one hand, we have the raw data asset, and on the other, we have skilled analysts from academia. There’s a clear need for cooperation between these two groups, and our conference serves as the ideal platform to facilitate it.”

The International Conference on Data Analytics for Business and Industry fosters collaboration beyond simply encouraging research publications. Keynote speakers and industry professionals regularly share their experiences, while workshops motivate participants to exchange their data expertise. Engagement goes beyond knowledge transfer and often leads to the introduction of novel business models or the application of more efficient operational processes.

In its proactive approach to enhancing data expertise and applications, the university launched a master’s programme in big data science and analytics in 2019. Just one year later, the International Conference on Data Analytics for Business and Industry was launched. 

“As the coordinator for the master’s programme and chair of the conference organising committee, I can offer unique insights into both,” explains Hilal. “I’ve seen our postgraduate students encouraged to submit their coursework for publication as a result of their studies. This allows them to gain publication experience and even participate in workshops to further develop their skills. The university’s academic programmes and conferences are advancing in parallel.”

The International Conference on Data Analytics for Business and Industry is a truly international affair, attracting participants from around the world. In its first three years, the conference was held entirely online to improve its reach, before transitioning to a hybrid model. Annually, more than 200 conference papers are received, with the sheer volume of participation underscoring the conference’s wide global reach and collaborative impact.

“Our students are deeply engaged in the conference, and not just through paper submissions,” notes Hilal. “Participation spans multiple activities, including paper publication, session moderation and workshops.”