Sharjah24: The inaugural ‘Regional Data and Community Development Forum,’ organised by Sharjah’s Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) on October 9-10, 2024, will feature an extensive program of 24 workshops designed to equip participants with essential skills in the data field. The workshops, conducted in 6 desgintaed halls, will cover a wide range of topics, including data analysis, visualisation, application, strategy design, data-driven storytelling, big data analytics, generative AI, and population and social statistics, among others, ensuring participants are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of today’s data-driven landscape.
As part of the forum’s comprehensive agenda, the workshops are conducted in strategic partnerships with leading institutions: Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics, Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, American University of Sharjah (AUS), GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat), and the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Additionally, Saïd Business School at Oxford University and Birmingham University will lead eight of the 24 training sessions.
Taking place at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, the forum promises a rich educational experience through its workshops and masterclasses programme led by more than 18 top-tier experts, ushering in a generation of well equipped professionals who can form innovative solutions through the power of data. Registration for the event is now open at https://dscd.evsreg.com/
Essential workshops to elevate your data skills
Among these workshops, the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics will be conducting six knowledge-packed workshops, led by Dr. Alissar Nasser and Dr. Zied Abdullah. On the first day participants can attend “Big Data Analytics and NoSQL Databases for Official Statistics,” which explores big data concepts and tools like Apache Hadoop and MongoDB. During “Data Visualization Techniques,” attendees will focus on creating interactive dashboards using advanced data visualisation techniques and tools such as Tableau and Power BI. The third workshop, “Data Collection for Official Statistics,” will provide essential knowledge on gathering accurate data for public policy.
On Day 2, the institute will offer “AI-Enabled Data Analytics for Public Policy,” examining how AI can inform public policy decisions through predictive modelling and sentiment analysis, and how these techniques can be applied to address societal challenges. Additionally, the “Machine Learning for Predictive Analytics” workshop will cover machine learning algorithms and their applications in building predictive models relevant to community needs. Lastly, registered participants can join “Data Analysis and Presentation,” which focuses on effectively analysing and presenting data across various industries.
The Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai will contribute two workshops over the two days, namely, “Generative AI in the Public Sector,” led by Dr. Semih Kumluk on the first day, introducing participants to generative AI models and their applications; and “Big Data Analytics and AI,” led by Dr. Ayman Ibrahim on day 2, aimed at senior managers looking to incorporate big data and data science tools into their organisational strategies.
The American University of Sharjah will be presenting a highly engaging workshop on the first day titled “AI in Education: Transforming Learning for the Future,” led by Dr. Norita Ahmad exploring the latest AI-driven tools and techniques that are revolutionising classrooms and enhancing learning outcomes.
During the first day, the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control will present a workshop on “The Role of Data in Tracking Infectious Diseases,” led by Dr. Bushra Al-Ghamdi and Dr. Mziyar Moradi, focusing on using diverse data sources to enhance public health decision-making.
The GCC-Stat will conduct two workshops on the second day of the forum: “Key Principles of Population and Social Statistics” led by Ali bin Suliman Al-Faliti & Ibrahim bin Saleh AlFerie, providing foundational knowledge on demographic data analysis; and “Data Storytelling,” led by Suad bint Mubarak Al-Abdalsalam, which teaches participants how to transform raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Lastly, the DSCD will also host four workshops, and on day 1, “Harnessing Data for Societal Development” led by Abeer Al Wakeel, will empower participants to apply analytical techniques to uncover behavioural patterns within their communities. The second workshop will be “Data Strategy Design,” led by Mohamed Abbas, teaching attendees how to create effective data strategies using design thinking principles.
On Day 2, participants can attend “Think Like a Data Analyst,” led by Hoda Abdelbasit, designed for professionals in Business Intelligence who want to establish a solid foundation in data analytics. Meanwhile “Optimising Media: Perspectives and Strategies” workshop, led by Abeer Al Wakeel, will cover methods for assessing the accuracy and reliability of media-reported data, as well as the impact of media quality on statistical integrity.
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