The AI and Data Science for Social Impact initiative, led by APRU in partnership with data.org as part of its Asia Pacific Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN), empowers educators, students, and social impact organizations (SIOs) across Southeast Asia to harness data and AI for inclusive growth. Through workshops, collaborative projects with SIOs under the Social Impact Data Science Accelerator (SIDSA), experiential learning initiatives including a Tech Policy Hackathon, and the development of open-source papers and training materials, the initiative addresses critical gaps in data literacy and social impact education. Launched by APRU in 2024 and funded by Mastercard, this two-year collaboration is building a regional network of purpose-driven data practitioners to tackle pressing challenges in health, climate resilience, financial inclusion, and more. Below are key projects and outputs currently in various phases of development through this partnership.

This article was featured on EdTech Innovation Hub (ETIH) on May 25, 2026 and written by Emma Thompson. The Association of Pacific Rim Universities was recognized for a regional hackathon model combining policy briefs, expert mentorship, student engagement, and real-world technology challenges. The APRU Tech Policy Hackathon 2025 has won Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education at the inaugural ETIH Innovation Awards 2026, with judges recognizing a student learning model that moved beyond a traditional technology competition. Led by the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, the inaugural hackathon brought together 299 students from universities across the Asia-Pacific region to work on public-domain challenges at the intersection of technology and policy. Fifty-six finalists competed in Bangkok, where teams developed prototypes connected to issues including financial inclusion, digital trust, responsible AI, and workforce development. The program was developed by APRU with partners including data.org, Google, and the NUS Fintech Lab. Google hosted the finale at its Bangkok office, while data.org helped shape the program’s thematic focus on data, AI, and social impact. Christina Schönleber, Chief Strategy Officer at APRU, led the development of the program. For Schönleber, the decision to move away from a traditional “tech-only” hackathon reflected APRU’s role as a regional university network working across different economies, cultures, and higher education systems. “Many of the challenges facing Southeast Asia — such as unequal access to finance, digital capability gaps, workforce transition, or trust in AI — affect communities differently across the region,” Schönleber says. That meant students needed to work beyond technical build alone. The hackathon required teams to submit a policy brief before developing a prototype, forcing them to define the problem, consider the institutional context, and identify the stakeholders any solution would need to engage. ETIH Innovation Awards judge Richard Govada Joshua described the hackathon as “a transformational use of EdTech in higher education,” noting that it moved beyond content delivery into immersive, real-world, skills-based learning. He also highlighted its combination of “structured curriculum delivery, formative assessment, and real-time expert mentorship into one coherent experience.” Building a policy-led hackathon model The design of the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon was built around the idea that many societal challenges cannot be solved from one discipline alone. Students worked across technology, law, public policy, economics, and social sciences, with diverse disciplinary and gender composition encouraged in the application criteria. Schönleber says the interdisciplinary structure was central to the learning experience: “Students brought very different perspectives shaped by their academic backgrounds, cultures and lived experiences. That helped move conversations away from purely technical problem-solving towards more responsible, human-centred and policy-aware innovation.” That approach also shaped the assessment model. Students were not judged only on technical outputs, but on feasibility, scalability, policy relevance, and real-world applicability. The policy brief requirement meant teams had to think about implementation before building. Govada Joshua, pointed to that structure as a key strength. He said APRU delivered “a multi-stage, hands-on” learning experience guided by expert mentors, with assessment and feedback embedded through continuous evaluation. The scale of participation was also part of the judging discussion. 299 students from 36 universities across 12 Asia-Pacific economies, with 56 finalists from 14 universities competed in Bangkok. Emma Thompson, Judge and Director of Content and Editor at ETIH, says: “APRU’s hackathon showed how EdTech in higher education can go beyond digital delivery and become a structured learning experience around real-world problems. The policy brief requirement, mentor feedback, and cross-disciplinary team design gave students a framework for thinking about implementation, not just invention.” Mentorship, access, and student engagement The hackathon’s mentorship model was one of the most important elements of the entry. Schönleber explains that this helped teams test whether their ideas could work beyond the immediate competition environment: “Mentors from organisations including Google, Microsoft, data.org, She Loves Data and NECTEC Thailand got students to think beyond technical challenges and consider also if an idea was implementable, ethical, scalable and relevant within different regional contexts.” That feedback loop helped move the hackathon away from a short-form build event and toward a longer learning process. Teams moved through application, policy brief development, mentor feedback, prototype creation, and live pitching. Neil Almond, ETIH Innovation Awards judge, described the program as taking “a novel approach to the development of hackathons that made them more inclusive to a wider audience.” Accessibility was built into the model through funding support for finalists. APRU covered travel and accommodation costs for selected student teams attending the Bangkok finale, reducing the risk that participation would be limited by geography or financial means. Schönleber adds this was one of the most important practical decisions behind the program: “A major practical step was to ensure we had sufficient funds to cover travel and accommodation costs for all student teams that were selected for the final in person hackathon event in Bangkok at the Google offices.” The challenge focus also reinforced that access agenda. The 2025 hackathon centered on AI and data for social impact, with a particular focus on financial inclusion in Southeast Asia. That pushed teams to consider underserved communities, uneven access to digital systems, and the policy conditions needed for technology to work in practice. For Schönleber, the program’s longer-term value was partly in changing how students saw their own role: “I hope the hackathon will have helped students to see themselves as enables and problem solvers to address regional challenges rather than simply students completing an academic exercise.” Scott Thompson, Judge and Director at Paxton Media, which includes ETIH and RTIH, says: “This was a strong example of higher education using technology to connect students with policy, social impact, and regional collaboration. The entry showed clear learning value because students were being asked to understand the system around a problem before proposing a solution.” From competition to regional learning model The APRU Tech Policy Hackathon was also shortlisted in Best Student Engagement and Assessment Tool, Best Global Impact, and Best Digital Learning Platform for Higher Education, reflecting how the program crossed several areas of EdTech practice. Schönleber comments the program helped students develop a more systems-focused way of thinking: “Rather than seeing innovation simply as building new tools, students had to consider questions around ethics, governance, inclusion, public trust and implementation i.e. shifting towards more responsible and human-centred innovation.” The second edition is now in development. APRU has launched the call for applications for the 2026 hackathon, which will focus on the financial health of underserved communities. Cognizant has joined as a new funding partner, with APRU continuing work with partners from the inaugural program, including data.org and academic experts involved in the 2025 edition. For APRU, the ETIH Innovation Awards win comes as the program moves from first-year delivery into a more established regional model. “Receiving the Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education award was really unexpected,” Schönleber says. “It really validates the incredible efforts and deep thinking of the cross stakeholder team we brough together for developing and implementing this hackathon.” “The award recognised the quality of the hackathon itself, and the broader model of collaborative, socially focused and regionally connected innovation that we at APRU have been building.” If you want to find out more about the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon and the 2026 application process, more information is available via the APRU website.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is pleased to announce that the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon 2025 has been awarded Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education at the EdTech Innovation Hub (ETIH) Innovation Awards 2026, recognizing APRU’s leadership in advancing digitally enabled, applied learning across the Asia‑Pacific region.   International recognition for digital learning innovation The ETIH Innovation Awards recognize organizations and initiatives delivering measurable impact in education, skills development, and workforce transformation through the effective use of technology. The 2026 awards program attracted more than 140 entries from around the world, reflecting growing global demand for innovative digital learning models in higher education. The Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education category celebrates universities and higher education organizations that have embedded educational technology in ways that meaningfully transform the student or faculty experience. APRU’s selection underscores the strength of the Tech Policy Hackathon as a structured, digitally enabled experiential learning initiative that integrates mentorship, collaboration tools, and applied assessment into a cohesive educational journey.   A regional platform connecting universities, policy, and industry The APRU Tech Policy Hackathon 2025 was designed to provide students with hands‑on experience at the intersection of technology, public policy, and societal impact. The initiative brings together student teams from with industry, policymakers, civil society organizations, and strategic partners. Co‑created and supported by Google and data.org, the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon fostered a digitally enabled learning environment anchored in real‑world challenges and regional priorities. Additionally, leaders from academia, government agencies, industry, and international organizations, mentored students through the process of developing policy briefs and prototyping solutions that demonstrated the practical application of AI and data science to complex societal issues. This multi‑stakeholder approach reflects APRU’s commitment to preparing future generations of leaders to address policy challenges through responsible, technology‑informed solutions. The 2025 Hackathon saw strong participation from across the Pacific Rim, with 299 students from 40 universities across 15 economies submitting 70 project proposals addressing policy challenges shaped by artificial intelligence and data driven technologies. From this pool, 12 finalist teams comprising 56 students from 14 universities across nine economies were selected to advance to the final round held in Bangkok, Thailand.   Advancing inclusive innovation in the Asia Pacific Across the Asia Pacific, digital transformation offers powerful opportunities to expand access to education, strengthen public services, and improve economic participation. Yet uneven access to digital infrastructure, skills, and enabling policy frameworks continues to deepen disparities within and between societies. APRU’s partnership with data.org is central to the Tech Policy Hackathon, emerging from a broader collaboration focused on capacity building and the application of AI and data science for social impact. At its core, the partnership aims to strengthen data literacy and empower students to develop policy solutions that respond to urgent regional challenges with evidence, responsibility, and scale. The APRU Tech Policy Hackathon was designed to respond to these challenges by empowering students to develop technology‑enabled policy solutions that address real needs, particularly in underserved communities across Southeast Asia and the wider region. Through sustained collaboration with partners such as Google and data.org, APRU supports the development of solutions that are informed by data, grounded in local context, and capable of scaling across diverse economies.   Preparing future leaders for a digital society As artificial intelligence and data‑driven technologies continue to shape economic and social development, universities play a critical role in preparing graduates who can understand both technical innovation and its broader societal implications. Through initiatives such as the Tech Policy Hackathon, APRU supports the development of globally minded leaders who can balance innovation with responsibility and public value.  Winning the Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education award affirms APRU’s commitment to advancing innovative digitally enabled education models that student learning and strengthen student engagement, foster cross‑sector collaboration, and deliver real‑world impact across the Pacific Rim. APRU remains committed to working with its member universities and partners to drive inclusive innovation that benefits societies throughout the Asia Pacific and beyond.   The next edition of the hackathon is currently calling for participation from student teams. The 2026 Data, AI & Policy APAC Hackathon: Financial Health Frontiers is a regional competition for university students and recent graduates who want to build practical, responsible, and user-centered solutions for financial health in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The hackathon explores how data, AI, and policy can help financial service providers (FSPs) better support underserved communities and strengthen inclusive, resilient financial systems.  Find more information about how to participate here.

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) has been shortlisted as a finalist in four categories at the EdTech Innovation Hub (ETIH) Innovation Awards 2026, recognising APRU’s commitment in empowering students with the knowledge, practical experience, and leadership skills needed to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. The recognition also underscores APRU’s wider contribution to advancing inclusive innovation and strengthening digital capability across diverse societies in the Asia-Pacific region. The recognition highlights the impact of the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon 2025, an interdisciplinary initiative that gives students the opportunity to apply technology, policy, and research skills to real-world issues through applied learning and cross-border. By bringing together universities, industry leaders, policymakers, civil society, and supporting partners including data.org and Google, the hackathon creates a platform where students can build experience, test ideas, and develop solutions with relevance beyond the classroom. The ETIH Innovation Awards recognise organisations and initiatives delivering meaningful impact across education, skills development, and workforce transformation. This year’s programme attracted more than 140 entries from around the world, reflecting the growing role of technology in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital learning, student engagement, career readiness, and lifelong learning. Shortlisted entries were assessed based on innovation, adoption, and evidence of real-world impact. APRU is shortlisted in the following categories: Best Student Engagement and Assessment Tool Best Digital Learning Platform for Higher Education Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education Best Global Impact Winners will be announced on May 11, 2026. Advancing Inclusive Innovation Across the Asia-Pacific Digital transformation presents significant opportunities to improve economic participation, strengthen public services, and expand access to education and employment. However, uneven adoption of digital technologies and disparities in access to infrastructure, skills, and policy frameworks continue to create gaps between and within societies. The APRU Tech Policy Hackathon 2025, held in Bangkok, Thailand, was designed to address these challenges by empowering students to develop technology-enabled policy solutions that respond to real societal needs, particularly in underserved communities across Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The initiative encourages students to design solutions that are not only innovative, but also practical, scalable, and aligned with public policy priorities. By focusing on issues such as financial inclusion, digital trust, workforce adaptation, and equitable access to emerging technologies, the hackathon supports APRU’s broader mission to strengthen cooperation across academia, industry, and government in addressing shared regional challenges. Through this approach, APRU contributes to building capacity across multiple societies, supporting the development of solutions that can improve digital participation and enable more inclusive growth. A Regional Platform Connecting Talent, Policy, and Innovation The 2025 hackathon drew strong global participation, with 299 students from 40 universities across 15 economies submitting 70 project proposals that address real-world policy challenges shaped by artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies. From this pool, 12 finalist teams comprised of 56 students from 14 universities across nine economies were selected to participate in the final round in Bangkok. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams spanning fields such as computer science, economics, public policy, law, and data science, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of technological and regulatory challenges. Project themes addressed regional priorities including digital poverty, online safety, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, financial inclusion, workforce readiness, and the development of trusted digital ecosystems. Supported by mentors from academia, government agencies, industry, and international organisations, students developed policy briefs and prototype solutions demonstrating practical applications of AI and data science in addressing complex societal issues. This multi-stakeholder approach reflects APRU’s role as a “super connector”, linking institutions and communities to foster innovation that is grounded in real societal needs and informed by diverse regional perspectives. Recognition by the ETIH Innovation Awards The ETIH Innovation Awards recognise initiatives that demonstrate measurable progress in transforming education through technology, particularly those that improve access to learning, strengthen engagement, and support future workforce readiness. The Best Global Impact Award recognises initiatives that transform education in underserved or global communities, with emphasis on improving equitable access to learning and delivering measurable outcomes at scale. The Best Digital Learning Platform for Higher Education category recognises structured and effective digital learning environments that provide a clear end-to-end learning journey supported by relevant knowledge resources and measurable learning outcomes. The Best Student Engagement and Assessment Tool category recognises initiatives that demonstrate strong participation and evaluation frameworks, including mechanisms that support interaction, mentorship, feedback loops, and measurable performance indicators. The Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education catagory celebrates a university or higher education institution that has embedded edtech in a way that transforms the student or faculty experience. Being shortlisted for the ETIH Innovation Awards reflects the strength of the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon as a digital learning initiative that integrates mentorship, collaboration tools, and structured evaluation into a cohesive learning experience. It demonstrates the growing importance of interdisciplinary, applied approaches that connect academic knowledge with real-world impact. Students benefit from milestone-based development and iterative feedback, enabling them to refine ideas through evidence-based analysis while strengthening critical thinking, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills. Preparing Future Leaders for an Evolving Digital Society As artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies continue to shape economic and social development, there is increasing demand for graduates who can understand both technical innovation and its broader societal implications. Through initiatives such as the Tech Policy Hackathon, APRU supports the development of globally minded talent equipped to design solutions that balance innovation with responsibility. By fostering collaboration across universities, industry partners, and policymakers, APRU continues to contribute to education models that strengthen workforce readiness while supporting inclusive and resilient digital ecosystems across the Asia-Pacific region. Through sustained partnership and knowledge exchange, APRU remains committed to advancing innovation that benefits multiple societies and contributes to more equitable participation in the digital economy. For more information about the APRU Tech Policy Hackathon 2025, please visit https://www.apru.org/event/apru-tech-policy-hackathon-2025/ For more information about the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026, please visit: https://www.edtechinnovationhub.com/etih-innovation-awards-2026/about-the-edtech-innovation-hub-awards-2026

Photos Credit: Universiti Malaya   From October 28 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Malaya hosted the 18th APRU Global Health Conference, welcoming more than 400 participants from 20 economies under the theme “Towards Planetary Health Equity: A Global Call for Shared Solutions.” The conference also featured the launch of the APRU Orchestra, a new initiative to promote cross-culture understanding. With 219 participants from Malaysia and 238 from other countries and regions, the conference served as a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary exchange, bringing together academics, policymakers, students, and practitioners to address the urgent health challenges facing the planet.   Planetary Health To advance the theme, the conference began with the “Plant a Tree” campaign led by Universiti Malaya to help offset the carbon footprint associated with the travel. A total of 120 native trees selected by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) will be planted. “Plant a Tree” Campaign   “As the world navigates complex intersections of climate change, health inequities, and social transformation, we are reminded that our collective well-being depends on a deeper understanding of the unity between human, environmental, and planetary health,” said Professor Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osaman, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya. The opening ceremony was also attended by the Malaysia’s Minister of Health, YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad; Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Professor Dr. Hasniza Zaman Nuri; Head of Department of Social & Preventive Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Victor Hoe; and APRU Programs Senior Director, Adriana Rojas M., who said, “as the leading network of Asia-Pacific research universities, APRU recognizes the unique opportunity this conference presents to foster meaningful dialogue and cross-sector collaboration and that at APRU, more intersectional and interdisciplinary collaborations are in the pipeline.” Sitting in the front row, from left to right：APRU Programs Senior Director Adriana Rojas M., Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya Professor Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osaman, Malaysia’s Minister of Health YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Hasniza Zaman Nuri, Head of Department of Social & Preventive Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine Victor Hoe   APRU Orchestra Beyond academic discourse, the conference celebrated cultural exchange through the inaugural performance of the APRU Orchestra on the evening of October 29. This newly formed ensemble symbolizes the harmony and collaboration that define the APRU network. The pilot performance by Universiti Malay was titled “A Symphony of Cultures – East Meets West.”   Academic Highlights The academic program featured 174 accepted abstracts—including 108 oral presentations and 66 posters—covering topics such as climate change and health, migration, mental health, artificial intelligence, and health systems resilience. Two full-day workshops preceded the official opening: “Preparing Health Systems for the Future of AI for Health: Ethical Challenges and Lessons Learned,” organized in partnership with data.org, and “Implementation Science for All: Advancing Equity and Access in Health.” During the 3-day conference, distinguished speakers enriched the dialogue with diverse perspectives. Professor Christian Gonzalez-Billault of Universidad de Chile delivered a keynote on neurobiology and aging, emphasizing regional collaboration in advancing brain health research. Aymen Abdullah, a humanitarian leader from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, or Doctors without Borders), shared insights from over 15 years of field experience in conflict zones, highlighting the complexities of health access during crises. Professor Ajay Mahal from the University of Melbourne offered a plenary on economic policy and health system resilience, critically examining strategies to enhance equity and performance in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to these highlights, the APRU Global Health Program’s signature activities including the Working Groups, convened during the conference, and students competitions were held alongside the main program (please see another article here). “Beyond the formal sessions, you have numerous opportunities to interact in our working group sessions, explore student contributions in the form of case competition videos and student posters from around the region, and engage with current and future leading thinkers working towards transformative solutions,” said Professor Mellissa Withers, Director of the APRU Global Health Program. The conference was recognized as part of the UM International Week 2025, organized in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, and coincided with the 47th ASEAN Summit . The APRU Global Health Conference 2025 was organized by a team from the Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.   2026 Host The conference concluded with the announcement by Professor Martin Wong from The Chinese University of Hong Kong that it will host the next Global Health Conference in early December 2026, marking a symbolic handover and reinforcing the network’s commitment to advancing global health through collaboration.

  Photos Credit: Universiti Malaya The 10th Annual APRU Global Health Virtual Case Competition and 11th Student Poster Contest concluded at the APRU Global Health Conference 2025, held October 28–31 at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Case Competition APRU Global Health Virtual Case Competition marks its 10th cohort in 2025. Beginning on January 31, the program drew 110 teams from 26 universities across 13 economies—Australia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States—with each team comprising 3–6 students. Teams tackled the challenge, “Advancing Inclusive Growth in Southeast Asia by Leveraging Data and AI for Food Security,” developing solutions that balance innovation with real-world feasibility. The competition was supported by data.org and organized in partnership with Universiti Malaya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Each team submitted a 10-minute video proposal, which was judged by an international panel from the APRU Global Health Program and invited global experts, who selected 10 finalists. From these, three videos advanced to the final round at the APRU Global Health Conference 2025 on October 29 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the winner received a US$1,000 prize determined by conference participants’ votes. Team Sustainabite from Universitas Indonesia won first place with “SEHATI,” an AI-enabled mobile application designed to reduce childhood stunting by helping low-income households track daily nutrition and build healthier eating habits through a rewards-based system.  Team members were Afirsta Violla, Fatima Nadine, Jessie Afaratu, and Najiba Nurisma. Here are the top 10 teams: Winner University of Indonesia, Sustainabite Runners-up (in no particular order) The Chinese University of Hong Kong, SEED Universitas Indonesia, Healink Other Top 10 teams (in no particular order) The University of Sydney, Byte to Bite Universitas Indonesia, Nutri-Z UC Irvine, PeterCare Tech Universiti Malaya, Plantelligence Nanyang Technological University/National University of Singapore/University of Indonesia, CULTIV8 National University of Singapore, FEASTN Nanyang Technological University, SustAInable Bites Poster Contest The 11th APRU Global Health Student Poster Contest, held alongside the APRU Global Health Conference 2025, invited full-time undergraduate and graduate students to submit academic posters and abstracts, with all eligible posters displayed virtually during the conference and category winners receiving US$500. This year’s submissions came from 24 universities in 10 economies: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, the US, and Vietnam. The graduate category winner is Eleanor J. Ong (National University of Singapore) for “Substance use behaviours among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) with a history of adverse childhood experiences: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.” The undergraduate category winner is Chan Ning Long (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) for “Association between sociodemographic factors and HIV knowledge among Hong Kong citizens: a cross-sectional study.”   Here is the complete list of the winners and runners-up: Graduate Category: [Winner]  Eleanor J. Ong from the National University of Singapore for the poster titled “Substance use behaviours among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) with a history of adverse childhood experiences: a systematic review and meta-synthesis” view poster [Runners-up] Ryan Chow from The Chinese University of Hong Kong for the poster titled “Comparative Effectiveness of Anti-Obesity Medications on Body Weight and Glycemic Control in Overweight/Obese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” view poster Ashis Talukder from Australia National University for the poster titled “Urbanization and Double Burden of Malnutrition at the Household Level in South and Southeast Asia: Insights from Night-Time Lights Data” view poster Undergraduate Category: [Winner]  Chan Ning Long from The Chinese University of Hong Kong for the poster titled “Association between sociodemographic factors and HIV knowledge among Hong Kong citizens: a cross-sectional study” view poster [Runners-up] Maritza Andreanne Rafa Ayusha from the Universitas Indonesia for the poster titled “Value or Luxury? Cost-Effectiveness of Lipid-Lowering Therapies in Indonesia: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis” view poster Joseph Mary L. Manalili from Angeles University Foundation for the poster titled “Lugud Matwa (Filial Love): Exploring Resilience in Caregiver Roles among Kapampangan Families” view poster

With five hubs across Latin America, India, Africa, Asia Pacific (APAC) and the United States, the Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) is a global community that continues to grow, developing data and AI skills with interdisciplinary expertise while expanding a library of case studies and success stories that can be shared with social impact leaders around the world.  The accelerators live at the intersection of research and practice, academia and industry, community and government. In each hub academics, government partners, social impact organizations (SIOs), and industry come together with a shared goal of growing the workforce of purpose-driven data and AI practitioners to tackle locally-relevant sectoral challenges.  In Asia Pacific, these cross-sector partners are tackling financial inclusion. As part of APAC CAN, with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, data.org and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) are building a next-generation workforce in the classroom and beyond, pushing students and practitioners to expand their respective areas of expertise and create AI solutions tailored to the APAC context. The same is true for the academics, government and industry partners we engage. We want each stakeholder group—again, at the intersection of research and practice—to broaden their perspectives and collaborate in service of the greater good. By developing rigorous curricula through real-world case studies and pairing it with experiential education, we are not only deepening students’ skills, awareness, and interest through critical thinking and collaboration, but also building a pathway of purpose-driven professionals for tomorrow while helping SIOs and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) meet the needs of their communities today.  So, how does this hands-on learning and practical work experience come to life for learners? Here are three programs data.org and APRU are leading to improve workforce outcomes and accelerate our impact in Asia Pacific: Social Impact Data Science Accelerator (SIDSA) MSMEs in the APAC region generate valuable operational data every day through their work, yet many lack the technical expertise to synthesize, analyze, and translate it into better decisions and outcomes. SIDSA bridges this gap by pairing social impact driven MSMEs with multidisciplinary academic teams, with support from innovation partner Tandemic, to co-design and implement solutions for their specific data challenge to advance the MSME on its digital transformation journey. Examples of projects these teams tackle include: Philippines-based Ark Solves improves the livelihoods of 19,000+ rural families by helping them grow vegetables in their backyard and run a community exchange marketplace to ensure food security and local economic resilience. With limited internet connectivity, they struggle to capture accurate data from these micro-entrepreneurs remotely. A team from University of the Philippines is helping them build a mobile data collection solution to capture food production data in low-tech environments, as well as an interactive dashboard to track harvest volumes and variety to improve connections between farmers and local markets. International Development Enterprises (iDE)’s bookkeeping app, Kotra Riel, enables Cambodia’s microentrepreneurs to maintain financial records with the goal of scaling their business through increased financial acumen and improved access to funding. Currently, they support 8,000+ users, including over 3,000 women entrepreneurs. Today, insufficient information about user activity and engagement limits their ability to conduct targeted outreach with products, training, and support. A team from Asian Institute of Management is developing tools to provide these missing usage by segment and revenue, and creating visualizations to support business development. The Malaysia-headquartered Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has 5,600+ members from 94 countries and is focused on including smallholder farmers in certified supply chains to enable better market connections. RSPO’s members self-report data about their operations and environmental sustainability. The self-reported data varies significantly in quality and structure across members. Without standardized data, RSPO is unable to use all the member data to inform its strategy and provide targeted support by uplifting smallholder farmer contributions. A team from City University of Hong Kong is building visualization tools that make the data easier to compare and understand, helping RSPO members share knowledge, spot trends, and learn from successful efforts to include smallholder farmers across regions. APRU Tech Policy Hackathon Given the uneven adoption of AI and data literacy across ASEAN, we, along with our partners at Google and NUS FinTech Lab, recently held a tech policy hackathon in Thailand to leverage youth leadership in driving digital policy innovation. More than 70 interdisciplinary teams participated across the region, with students coming from traditional majors like computer science and IT, as well as interdisciplinary fields like economics, political science, and law. Teams were charged with developing context-appropriate solutions—including policy briefs and functional prototypes—that anticipate and respond to the next wave of inclusion challenges in the digital economy. These challenges could include rural digital finance for the unbanked; making micro-loans accessible to MSMEs;  avoiding bias in hiring; and ensuring online safety and fraud prevention. Students were mentored by experts from government, UN agencies, private sector, tech companies, nonprofits and civil society organizations, emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder collaborations to drive policy action. The three-day finale saw teams demonstrating a nuanced understanding of some of the key local challenges with innovative approaches to: Finding ways for street vendors and other MSMEs in Indonesia to gain access to funding without a formal credit history  Applying satellite-derived data and the use of machine learning to increase the credit worthiness of smallholder farmers across Asia  Winning teams received both funding and access to continued mentorship to help transform their solutions into scalable, real-world initiatives. Global Health Virtual Case Competition While data and AI promise to transform food systems and health equity, governments still face challenges including fragmented indicators, uncertain evidence base, and limited clarity on how technology can be applied equitably. To explore the complexities of this governance gap in Asia Pacific, APRU launched their 2025 Global Health Case Competition in partnership with data.org, the United Nations Development Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Universiti Malaya. The goal was to leverage an experiential learning approach to help university students exercise critical thinking using a real-world problem statement to understand how the region’s food systems can be enhanced, and to propose AI-enabled solutions to strengthen food security. Each team was to select a national government across ASEAN to inform the development of a five-year strategic plan to address food insecurity through a food systems approach. More than 110 teams entered proposals which focused on several critical themes: Data Gaps and Inclusion: Many teams underscored how national surveys and global dashboards often blur or exclude the very groups most at risk—rural smallholders, informal vendors, women caregivers, and indigenous communities. Some recommended citizen-led photo logs of meals, community price tracking in local markets, or farmer-reported crop health data linked with satellite and drone monitoring, all designed to capture realities invisible in official statistics.  Climate and Food Availability: Several proposals highlighted how droughts and floods destabilize food production. One team suggested linking satellite imagery with IoT sensors and community reporting to anticipate shocks, enabling governments to reallocate stocks before crises deepened. Another extended this approach to AI-guided biofortification strategies, recommending which nutrients to prioritize in fortified foods depending on regional deficiencies. Food Access and Affordability: One team proposed combining satellite imagery with household data to identify overlooked poor communities and better target aid. Others focused on logistics, suggesting AI-optimized distribution routes and blockchain-enabled supply chain monitoring to cut transport costs and build trust in food aid delivery.  Collectively, the ideas move beyond single-point fixes to envision AI as an enabler of smarter, more inclusive governance in food and health systems. The Global Health Virtual Case Competition allows a large, interdisciplinary cohort of students to serve as youth policy advisors to governments. Finalists will present their findings at the APRU Global Health Conference 2025. Together, these programs make up an ecosystem of initiatives. The SIDSA Accelerator addresses organizational-level data challenges. The Hackathon spotlights enabling digital policy. And the Case Competition surfaces bottom-up AI use cases in governance for food and health. Each process and outcome varies, but all contribute to more inclusive growth in the region and highlight the diverse facets of financial health across climate, health, food, AI literacy and economic resilience. As we look ahead, the need for purpose-driven, AI-literate talent is only growing, not just in Asia Pacific, but globally. The Capacity Accelerator Network in collaboration with partners like APRU is able to conceive and offer programs—like SIDSA, like the Hackathon, and like the Case Competition—producing practitioners who are equipped to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time. Through immersive, cross-sector partnerships and experiential learning opportunities, we are not only filling today’s talent gaps, we are cultivating a global ecosystem that drives inclusive growth and innovation from the ground up. This is how we prepare and empower the workforce of tomorrow. And through continued collaboration, this is how we scale our collective impact.

[Bangkok, Thailand, October 8, 2025]   The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), in partnership with Google, data.org, and National University of Singapore Fintech Lab have launched an innovative Tech Policy Hackathon. The hackathon drew remarkable interest from students across the globe, with 299 participants from 40 universities spanning 15 economies—including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Korea—submitting a total of 70 innovative entries. From this impressive pool, 12 standout teams comprising 56 students from 14 universities across nine economies were selected to compete in the final round held in Bangkok. This vibrant mix of participants highlights the global enthusiasm for collaborative problem-solving and the rich diversity of talent driving innovation forward. The hackathon engaged students in interdisciplinary teams to address real-world issues including: Digital poverty and minority inclusion Online security and scam prevention Support for SMEs in the digital economy Workforce development and education access Financial inclusion for the underserved communities Disaster resilience through technology Participating institutions include Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Universiti Malaya (Malaysia), Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), Universitas Indonesia, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Far East Federal University (Russia), University of the Philippines, VinUniversity (Vietnam), CamTech (Cambodia), and others. “This initiative is about building bridges,” said Christina Schönleber, Chief Strategy Officer at APRU. “At APRU, we see our role as a super connector—linking academia, underserved communities, civil society organizations, and the technology sector to advance digital literacy and address policy challenges. In a region where AI and data strategies are still fragmented, empowering students with the tools, mentorship, and cross-sector collaboration they need is essential to shaping a more inclusive and resilient digital future.” The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the uneven adoption of AI and data literacy across ASEAN. Singapore, for example, leads with advanced infrastructure and national AI strategies, others are still grappling with limited access, disjointed policies, and low digital literacy—especially in rural and underserved communities. For example: Indonesia and Vietnam have AI adoption rates around 42%, driven by necessity and grassroots innovation. Thailand and Malaysia are investing heavily in infrastructure but face gaps in workforce readiness. The Philippines, despite strong academic talent, struggles with practical AI deployment due to infrastructure and investment gaps. This fragmented landscape risks deepening inequality. As AI and data-driven technologies reshape economies, communities without access to digital skills and infrastructure risk being left behind, while others surge ahead. According to the Asia Foundation, micro and small enterprises across ASEAN often lack the digital skills to benefit from the digital economy, and underserved groups, such as women and rural entrepreneurs, face the steepest barriers. Supported by Google in partnership with data.org and NUS Fintech Lab, the hackathon provided access to global mentors, policy frameworks, and data resources. Winning proposals will be shared with university experts and leaders and civil society organizations in the region to inform solutions development to policy challenges across the region. “At Google, we believe technology must be a force for inclusion. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring that underserved communities across Southeast Asia have access to vital digital tools and skills. In partnership with organizations in the region, we aim to close the gap in AI and data literacy needed to thrive in today’s society,” said Yinghui Tng, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Southeast Asia, Platforms & Devices, Google. As a global platform for partnerships committed to building a workforce of one million purpose-driven data and AI practitioners by 2032, data.org connects people with tools and training to drive action. Through globally informed, locally led capacity building, data.org empowers communities to use data and AI to solve real-world social impact challenges. “Data and AI can unlock new ways to tackle urgent challenges, but only if people closest to the issues shape the solutions,” said Shivam Shukla, Coordinator, Programs and Capacity Building at data.org. “Through mentorship and cross-sector guidance, the Hackathon equips emerging data and AI innovators in Southeast Asia to craft evidence-driven ideas for inclusive growth — from financial access to digital trust — and bring them into policy dialogues.” As a regional leader in financial technology education, the NUS FinTech Lab played a pivotal role in the hackathon by equipping students with the skills and insights needed to explore data-driven solutions for financial inclusion and digital resilience. Their involvement helped ensure that the next generation of innovators is not only tech-savvy, but also aware of the policy challenges and ready to lead in shaping Southeast Asia’s digital economy. “This initiative reflects the growing need for international education to prepare students not just for jobs, but for leadership in shaping digital futures,” said Nicholas Garcia, Deputy Director, National University of Singapore FinTech Lab. “By engaging students in real-world policy design, we’re building a generation of thinkers who can navigate and influence the global tech landscape.” “The most powerful part of this hackathon is seeing students connect innovation with responsibility — Principled Innovation. By tackling issues like digital safety for vulnerable groups, financial access for underserved communities, and equitable support for women-led enterprises, they’re modeling what it means to design AI and data systems that balance technical strength with social impact,” said Michelle Banawan, Assistant Director of Intelligent Systems, Learning Engineering Institute, Office of the Provost, Arizona State University. The Tech Policy Hackathon reflects APRU’s commitment to fostering inclusive cross-border collaboration and equipping students with the skills to lead in an increasingly complex digital world.   Congratulations to the winning teams:   1st Place: SIGAP UMKM Universitas Indonesia (UI), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU)     Peter Gospel Ho, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NTU Kyara Hafiza Saliha, Finance and Sustainability, SMU Samuel Yudhistira Susanto, Computer Science, SMU Phoebe Ivana, Computer Engineering, UI Faiz Assabil Firdaus, Computer Science, UI “Don’t focus too much on whether we’re winning or not, but think about the impact of our application — is it really making a difference? And if it is, then I think whether we’re winning or not doesn’t really matter. As long as we’re making impact, that’s enough,” said Phoebe Ivana, Computer Engineering. “Throughout the process, our top priority was ensuring that our solution truly works and is feasible. That commitment drove us to go the extra mile. We even reached out to experts outside of the competition in this short amount of time, to refine and validate our approach,” said Kyara Hafiza Saliha, Finance and Sustainability.   2nd Place: 40by40 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Mohammad Fahmy Bin Fadzil, School of Social Sciences, Public Policy & Global Affairs Tang Yan Lin, School of Social Sciences, Public Policy & Global Affairs Aaron Ng Kaicheng, School of Biological Sciences Alison Yeo, School of Biological Sciences “One thing that we have learned is the interdisciplinary approach in all the solutions presented here at this hackathon. As you know, it is not a one-size-fits-all or uni-dimensional approach that we are proposing, we are examining very complex issues that we are facing globally, so we need the people with the technical experience, social experience, and everybody working together to improve social well-being in our communities.”   3rd Place: AgriAccess The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Chung Ho Man, Computer Science and Economics YAU Ho Lun, Global China Studies YIN Xinshu, Quantitative Social Analysis Chau Long Hei, Mathematics Chin Chi Lon, Computer Engineering “This milestone is less about a single achievement and more about the shared conviction that fueled it: that by bridging technology and finance, we can make the invisible, investable. We are acutely aware that we could not have even begun to approach this challenge without a constellation of support.” Owen Chung, Student, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Honorable Mentions: Credit Pass University of the Philippines (UP), Asian Institute of Management (AIM), University of San Carlos (USC) Darmae M Tan, Master of Information Systems, UP Francis Tallo, MS in Data Science, AIM Wince B Dela Fuente, Law, USC Atasha Nicole G. Bahande, BS Management Minor in Finance, UP Cebu James Gabriel Elijah P. Ty, BS Computer Science, UP Cebu Project AiGRI University of the Philippines, Tacloban Angela Denise Z. Almazan, Computer Science Desirre Bless I. Barbosa, Computer Science Honey Joy B. Mora, Political Science Norman Enrico C. Eulin, Computer Science Rolf Genree L. Garces, Computer Science “We are honored to have placed among the top teams, but we know that this is only the beginning. We’re determined to push AiGRI beyond the walls of the hackathon, to keep improving it with the goal to seeing it make a real-world impact for the farmers who feed our nation,” said Rolf Genree, student at the University of the Philippines, Tacloban. Bangkok Baddies Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Loo Yi Cong, Business Sanjeyan Chrysharnthan, Computer Engineering Ong Xin Chun, Computer Engineering Isaac Lee Jiajun, Information Engineering and Media Kumaravel Yashpreethu, Computer Engineering     APRU Tech Policy Hackathon Website https://www.apru.org/event/apru-tech-policy-hackathon-2025/ Photos Photos are available for download: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCsLJk Video

This article was featured on University World News webpage on November 27, 2024. Southeast Asia’s first data capacity accelerator, which will be used to train students and data professionals to use data for social impact, was inaugurated in Singapore this month by data.org, a non-governmental organisation, in partnership with the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The initiative will produce a cohort of socially responsible data professionals and a social impact training model for universities that can be scaled up in about two years across other Southeast Asian countries, APRU, stated. “Digital transformation, AI and data all have a role to play in shaping society and driving economies towards financial health and resilience,” said Shamina Singh, founder and president of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, which is funding the initiative. She underlined the need to “reach the next generation of data practitioners, so they can harness the power of data and AI to support inclusive economic growth in the region”. Jon Huntsman, a former US ambassador to China and Singapore and vice-chairman (strategic growth) at Mastercard, which oversees the centre, said that the accelerator launch was “a remarkable step in the region’s journey as a leader in using data and AI for social good. This initiative will prepare a new generation of data and AI practitioners in the civil service, among others, to address social challenges that benefit local communities”. This article is part of a series on Pacific Rim higher education and research issues published by University World News and supported by the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. University World News is solely responsible for the editorial content. Professor Huang Ke-Wei, executive director of NUS’ Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF), at the 22 November launch described the accelerator as “a programme designed to uplift under-represented communities across Asia by equipping them with the skills and tools needed to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. This mission has never been more important … as AI continues to evolve at a very rapid pace”. Tapping into the power of higher education APRU chief executive Thomas Schneider said: “This partnership is about tapping into the power of higher education to ensure that our workforce and our communities are not left behind.” With its membership of over 60 universities in Asia and the Pacific, North America and Latin America, APRU “would like to create open-source resources in data science, where people can be trained at a massive scale. And we would also want to tie in many of our [APRU’s] huge programme hubs in global health, in sustainability and in food security, so students can learn practice-based solutions”, he noted. “Data science for social impact has the potential for significant societal benefits in areas such as economic mobility, gender equity, and even public health and climate, so we are eager to see how the data practitioners and social impact organisations involved will address this challenge in a way that serves the public good in the Asia Pacific and beyond,” Schneider added. Data for impact Data.org, a platform for partnerships between philanthropy, technology, academia, and social impact organisations, specifically focuses on data science for social impact. It has already established hubs at universities in Africa, India, Latin America, and the United States. Executive director of data.org Danil Mikhailov said that the aim is to apply research and academic expertise to enable social impact organisations “to unlock the power of data to meet their missions”. He told University World News: “Our focus is to democratise access to these skills but also make sure that data science is taught in a new way – with a focus on responsible data and responsible AI. And for it to be responsible, the skills you need are not just technical skills like coding. You need to understand how to work with vulnerable communities.” He noted that it required skills from the humanities and social sciences. For example: “If you want to work in health, you need to understand the basics of how health data is different from climate data or financial inclusion data,” he said. “We want people to be interdisciplinary scholars who approach data in what we call a socio-technical way – society and technology, not just technology,” he explained. Data.org has a goal to train 1 million data scientists, data analysts, data engineers around the world by 2032, particularly focusing on areas that are currently excluded. But Mikhailov said this could not be achieved with partnerships with individual universities if it is to have a global impact, hence the need for a ‘data capacity accelerator’ scheme. A different type of university course AIDF in Singapore, which involves collaboration between industry, academia and government policymakers, has devised a course on inclusive finance and will develop many more under the new initiative. The ‘data capacity accelerator’ is intended to address financial inequality in society and create meaningful social impact, AIDF’s Huang said. As part of the partnership, AIDF will co-create open-source certification courses in AI and data analytics, and through the initiative reach learners in other countries “to ensure that data and AI are harnessed equitably to empower lives and strengthen underprivileged communities”, he noted. He said at the launch: “We try to empower communities to reduce inequalities and also drive sustainable growth through digital finance and AI innovations.” Mikhailov stated that the students “have been taught a more responsible approach to data science with a social impact lens, and that embeds a new culture, a little seed of culture that will germinate in those institutions”. He noted: “Then we pair institutions with social impact organisations. So when those students come out, they get an experience of what it’s like on the other side, where the resources are much tighter, where the problems are much bigger. And that, again, informs them and shapes them into the well-rounded, interdisciplinary data scientists of the future that we all need.” Course design Referring to the need for exercises, case studies and data sets used by students to be derived from “real world problems”, Mikhailov said that it was important to ensure that course materials co-designed with universities had a strong applied element. All too often, data scientists being trained on AI models for the first time are given inappropriate data sets, Mikhailov noted. These might include data sets from retail – something that’s easily accessible, “but you’re actually trying to solve a problem in health or climate, so the data is very different and therefore you’re not learning the right skills and approaches”, he explained. Many students at data capacity accelerator initiatives elsewhere in the world work with local social impact organisations near the university. “We provide fellowship opportunities for students, fully paid by us, to go in and work in those organisations, let’s say, for a year, applying their skills,” Mikhailov said. “That’s good for students because they get a practical test of what they’ve learnt, and they learn so much more by doing, rather than by rote, and it’s very good for the organisations because often they’re priced out in the marketplace, unable to afford data scientists,” he added. Some of the 20 universities linked to data.org around the world created a new undergraduate degree; others, such as NUS, embed specific modules into existing courses, while others co-design modules with data.org. “The materials they [universities] produce, case studies and various teaching assets, are then used within our network and accessed by many more players who use them in their own courses.” Spreading in the region Christina Schönleber, APRU’s chief strategy officer, said that APRU would build more co-designed courses and learning materials to roll out to the region. “Our member universities can leverage their deep understanding of ocal contexts, communities and challenges to ensure the training programmes and resources are culturally and contextually relevant,” Schönleber told University World News. “Then, over the course of next year, develop and also run open-source courses and related materials. We need to develop these and make them available for students, academics and organisations who do not yet understand it [the application of data with impact]. “We also need to make sure the courses can be taken up by another university and they can integrate these, or elements of these, within their curricula,” she noted. APRU also intends to use some of the courses already developed under data.org, including some on the basics of data science. APRU’s plan is to launch a social impact data accelerator innovation platform, a practice-based learning platform “to get computer and data science students to work with social impact organisations across the Asia Pacific region, to help students understand how the use and application of data can make a real difference”, she explained. Many academics from the APRU network and beyond already work together on APRU programmes. “We bring academics together that work within the communities and work on the ground,” she said, and some will be brought in to work with computer and data scientists for the new initiative. “That’s the biggest challenge: to build that interdisciplinary community across the region to start with,” she said. “They will hopefully continue to collaborate beyond this initiative. Part of the legacy will be open-source course materials and assets, and we will work with data.org, and our other partners to share them widely.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 22, 2024 CONTACT Emma Donelan [email protected]   Today, with the generous support of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, data.org launched the Asia Pacific (APAC) Data Capacity Accelerator, the fifth in a growing network of global partners that are building a workforce of purpose-driven data practitioners. The APAC Data Capacity Accelerator will catalyze the application of data to address systemic financial inclusion challenges – including the critical need to build the data for social impact workforce. In partnership with the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF) – a university-level institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS) – and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, this accelerator will produce a cohort of data practitioners and a training model to scale across the region. “Digital transformation, AI and data all have a role to play in shaping society and driving economies towards financial health and resilience,” said Shamina Singh, founder and president, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “At Mastercard, we are committed to driving financial inclusion for small businesses, workers, and communities all around the world. We are proud to work with partners such as data.org, the Asian Institute of Digital Finance at the National University of Singapore, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities to reach the next generation of data practitioners, so they can harness the power of data and AI to support inclusive economic growth in the APAC region.” The latest Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) launch announcement came at an event held at NUS. Domain leaders across academia, industry, government, and NGOs came together to discuss shared goals and coordination around developing and upskilling purpose-driven data capacity for inclusive growth. “data.org works at the intersection of what is possible and what is practical, as increasingly illustrated by the impact of our CAN network partners,” said Danil Mikhailov, executive director of data.org. “We will only reach our goal of training one million purpose-driven data practitioners by 2032 through interdisciplinary, locally-led programs. Our growing and diverse network of partners—including now five Capacity Accelerator Network hubs worldwide—is making connections across sectors and across borders, inspiring a new generation of problem solvers.” The APAC Data Capacity Accelerator builds on the work being done at hubs in Africa, India, Latin America, and the United States. To date, data.org programs have engaged more than 20 academic partners around the world, applying the power of research and academic expertise to enable social impact organizations to unlock the power of data to meet their missions. For the APAC Accelerator, AIDF and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities are the primary higher education partners. “AIDF is proud to host today’s event together with data.org and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. It’s very exciting to be a part of a movement to empower young people and underprivileged communities, such as small business owners, around the world with the skills they need to be competitive in an increasingly tech-driven workforce,” said Professor Huang Ke-Wei, Executive Director of AIDF. “Our students, regardless of their disciplines, can benefit from exposure to and understanding of data and AI. We hope to create more opportunities for them to apply such critical skills in ways that would be beneficial to the community, society, and the world.” “This partnership is about tapping into the power of higher education to ensure that our workforce and our communities are not left behind,” said Thomas Schneider, chief executive of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. “Data science for social impact has the potential of significant societal benefits in areas such as economic mobility, gender equity, and even public health and climate, so we are eager to see how the data practitioners and social impact organizations involved will address this challenge in a way that serves the public good in the Asia Pacific and beyond.” Today’s event included keynotes on topics such as data and AI driving inclusive growth, the power of collaboration among government and social impact leaders, and the unique challenges and opportunities of AI in social impact. Subject matter experts shared their perspectives through panel discussions on bridging the data talent demand-supply gap, data-driven decision-making in multistakeholder partnerships, and scaling innovation and resources.   -30-   About data.org data.org is accelerating the power of data and AI to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. By hosting innovation challenges to surface and scale groundbreaking ideas, and elevating use cases of the most effective tools and strategies, we are building the field of data for social impact. By 2032, we will train one million purpose-driven data practitioners, ensuring there is capacity to drive meaningful, equitable impact.   About the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company’s core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.     About the Asian Institute of Digital Finance The Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF) is a university-level institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS), jointly founded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the National Research Foundation (NRF), and NUS. AIDF aims to be a thought leader, a FinTech knowledge hub, and an experimental site for developing digital financial technologies, as well as for nurturing current and future FinTech researchers and practitioners in Asia. For more information, please visit: https://www.aidf.nus.edu.sg/.   About the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) As a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia and Australasia, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is the Voice of Knowledge and Innovation for the Asia-Pacific region. APRU brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate on practical solutions to the challenges of the 21st century. For more information, please visit: https://www.apru.org/.