The UBL in collaboration with Habib University launched the “UBL Datathon”, the first of its kind initiative in the Banking industry. The Datathon used UBL’s market-leading digital capabilities, combined with the academic excellence of Habib University to provide a platform to the best and brightest technology enthusiasts of Pakistan.
Firstly, the participants competed to provide technology-based solutions to real-life challenges faced by the financial services industry. Several innovative business ideas and solutions driven by Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence were submitted by the participants.
Further, these were judged by global thought leaders including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, DBS, Kaggle, Maybank, and Commonwealth Bank.
The journey spanned several months, culminating in the award ceremony where the most innovative and practical ideas were recognized and awarded. Held at the Habib University Campus in Karachi, the UBL Datathon event’s Guest of Honour was Shazad G Dada, President & CEO of UBL.
Other esteemed guests included:
- Sohail Javaad, Executive Director Digital Financial Services Group, State Bank of Pakistan
- Wasif A Rizvi, President, Habib University
- other experts from the IT industry.
Faisal Anwar, CIO of UBL, and other senior executives of the bank represented the UBL.
The event comprised of a number of informative sessions including “Importance of Big Data and its challenges” from the executive director SBP; as well as an address on the vision behind Datathon by the CIO UBL and a panel discussion of industry experts on “Data as an Organizational Asset”.
The highlight of the event was the award ceremony where the awards given under two categories i.e. Best Idea from Fintech and Best Idea from University students.
Awards details are as below:
Best Fintech – 5 Hazar -1st Position, University Category – PIAIC, 2nd Position, University Category – Think Data Tech, 3rd Position, University Category – Codianics.
Shazad G Dada, President & CEO of UBL in his keynote address presented the global and domestic trends that are shaping the financial services industry and how banks must transform into Data-Driven Organizations.
But he also shared UBL, as Pakistan’s most progressive and innovative bank. But also shared practical examples of how it is using these to revolutionize the Banking industry:
- Design Thinking
- Data Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence
- The Internet of Things
Meanwhile, Shazad G Dada appreciated the participants and the winners for their innovative ideas. Likewise, he invited them to visit UBL’s state-of-the-art Design Thinking Lab for future collaborations with the bank.
Above all, UBL Datathon has been a pioneer project combining the best talent from:
- The financial services industry
- Fintechs
- The academia of Pakistan
In conclusion, we hope that this will pave the way to promote Pakistani tech talent. Therefore, it will provide them with a platform to further develop their skills. (for the progress and advancement of Pakistan).
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