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COVID-19 Disclaimer and Information

Due to unforeseen circumstances regarding COVID-19, STEM Fellowship has taken the initiative to make the Big Data Challenge take place entirely online. This means that there will be absolutely no need to attend in-person workshops and training sessions, and everything will be delivered online.

REGISTER FOR THE BIG DATA CHALLENGE IS NOW CLOSED

 

 

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Student Information Package
2022 Inter-University Big Data Day

    We call for the global student talent to carry inquiry into business, geographical, socioeconomic, gender, race, and all aspects of the healthcare supply chain and health economics. We challenge students to use Open Data and Open Science in combination with computational thinking and machine learning to find and develop ideas and solutions for sustainable health economics. 

    The Inter-University Big Data Challenge (IUBDC) is a unique inquiry-driven, experiential learning program that invites students from any undergraduate or graduate program to apply their problem-solving while gaining familiarity with the fundamentals of data science. The IUBDC fosters scientific inquiry, pioneering thinking, and a solution-focused mindset to drive innovative ideas in health economics, public health, and health supply chain management.

     

      The ongoing pandemic demonstrated how health became a defining factor of regional and global economies as well as personal and public life. It created bottlenecks in health economics including everything from health equipment and drug manufacturing to patient care, its affordability and financing. Every step from the beginning of drugs and medical or PPE equipment manufacturing, distribution, and use that makes up the healthcare supply chain is now under severe strain. This has led to shortages of vaccines, medicine and toilet paper, masks, live-saving ventilators, and more.

      Sustainable health economics is a solution to the healthcare supply chain crunch, placing emphasis on practices that eliminate the bottlenecks that currently exist, and can extend to more affordable healthcare or motivate better allocation of funding. 

      •  Develop analytical and computational thinking by using modern techniques in the context of current, real-world challenges in health economics. 

      • Use data visualization to present innovative ideas.

      • Engage in an interdisciplinary, problem space led by student-driven inquiry.

      • Network with individuals within industry and academia throughout the competition, in solving common goals.

        Teams of up to 4 students will be provided with datasets, workshops, learning resources, mentorship, and tools for data analysis to undertake exploratory analysis of sustainable energy. Data analysis is combined with scientific writing, insofar that the teams present their research findings in the form of scientific manuscripts, which are then evaluated by academics and industry professionals. All aspects of the BDC, including the delivery of workshops, resources, and mentorship, will occur online and are equally accessible to all students regardless of their location or other circumstances.

         

        Itinerary

         

        Monetary Prizes

          Research Solution Award

            • 1st Prize: $1000 + Publication ($ARV)
            • 2nd Prize: $600 
            • 3rd Prize: $400

          Most Applicable Solution Award

            • $1000

          Science Communication Award

            • 1st Prize: $1000 + Publication ($ARV)
            • 2nd Prize: $600
            • 3rd Prize: $400

           Innovation Award

            • $1000 + Publication ($ARV)

          FAQ

          WHAT IS THE BIG DATA CHALLENGE?

          The Big Data Challenge (BDC) for undergraduate students is an inquiry-driven experiential learning program that invites students from across the country to strengthen their problem-solving and critical thinking skills while gaining familiarity with the fundamentals of data science. 

           

          DO I NEED PREVIOUS PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE?

          You do not need previous experience with programming, although it is recommended. We welcome all students who are eager to put effort into learning and expanding their skillsets, as well as those who show any level of interest in data science or the challenge topic.

           

          HOW DO I FORM OR JOIN A TEAM?

          We encourage participants to start forming teams before the event. You may also register and participate on your own or request to be placed into a team after registration. 

           

          DO I NEED TO HAVE AN IDEA FOR MY PROJECT?

          Think about what interested you the most in the field of the provided topic. Reflect on your day-to-day; talk to your friends and professional network from academia and industry; explore emerging technologies and platforms; read the internet and research articles. In hackathons like these, many teams come up with their topics in the first few days of the challenge, rather than beforehand.

           

          I RECENTLY GRADUATED, AM I ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UNDERGRADUATE BIG DATA CHALLENGE?

          Yes, undergraduate and graduate students can register for the Big Data Challenge. 

           

          Is this competition only open to Canadian students?

          No, students from any country can sign up. The IUBDC is not limited to Canadians.