The ASEAN Foundation, in collaboration with SAP and the National University of Laos, successfully concluded the eighth ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ASEAN DSE) 2024 Regional Finals in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The event brought together 20 students from across the ten ASEAN Member States to present their data-driven proposals and innovative mobile apps designed to address socio-economic issues in the region. These participants demonstrated their ability to leverage data to create impactful solutions that align with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, clean water, and sustainable cities.

The team from Vietnam, aSAP, emerged as the Regional Winner for their mobile application, CarbonWave. Their solution focused on the interplay between ocean acidification and energy insecurity, aiming to foster sustainable blue economy development. The team’s innovative approach stood out, highlighting the potential of data-driven solutions to tackle complex environmental challenges.

This year’s ASEAN DSE Regional Finals emphasised the importance of building digital skills for the future workforce. With the global data science market expected to experience significant growth, the demand for a digitally skilled workforce is more pressing than ever. The ASEAN DSE programme addresses this need by equipping young people in ASEAN with the data analytics skills necessary to stay competitive in an evolving job market. The initiative plays a vital role in bridging the digital skills gap, particularly as many youths in the region possess only basic or no advanced digital skills. The 2024 Regional Finals were also supported by the Lao government as part of their ASEAN Chairmanship 2024, highlighting the importance of fostering digital literacy and readiness among youth for sustainable development. The programme aligns with Lao PDR’s Education and Sports Development Plan 2021-2025, reinforcing the critical role of digital skills in shaping the country’s future workforce.