MDeC, Tentspark kick off big data analytics/ open data app challenge

  • Focus on solving challenges related to national issues and societal well-being
  • Participants get to use open data sets from the Malaysian Government
MDeC, Tentspark kick off big data analytics/ open data app challenge

NATIONAL ICT custodian Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and IT consultancy and solutions provider Tentspark have jointly launched the National Big App Challenge (Big App).
 
The competition will showcase the importance of big data analytics in solving Malaysia’s challenges related to national issues and societal well-being through open data, while highlighting the talents of homegrown software specialists, the two organisers said in a statement.
 
The challenge is co-organised by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, and is the first programme under the National Big Data Initiative.
 
The Big App Challenge is the first of its kind in the country, serving as a platform for software companies in Malaysia to explore the possibilities of big data analytics, they said.
 
MDeC, Tentspark kick off big data analytics/ open data app challengeParticipants in this pioneering endeavour will utilise open data sets from the Malaysian Government to build applications that showcase the power of big data analytics to develop advanced forecasting and predictive modelling.
 
“Big data is now everywhere, in every sector and every organisation,” said newly-appointed MDeC chief executive officer Yasmin Mahmood (pic).
 
“The Digital Malaysia 354 Roadmap has identified big data analytics as a major catalyst to the digital economy and has put efforts in place to help Malaysian enterprises unlock the value driven by data, to create spillover multiplier benefits and competitiveness enhancements,” she added.
 
The inaugural National Big App Challenge  will see local software developers and companies coming together to drive big data usage and adoption, while identifying and rewarding companies with exceptional solutions, MDeC and Tentspark said.
 
“Competitions such as Big App Challenge will allow local developers to gain hands-on exposure to building applications designed around data, and gain insights from operating on datasets from all facets of the business by understanding volumes, sources, and integration points,” said Yasmin.
 
A key feature of the Big App Challenge is the Ideation workshop slated to take place in October. The workshop will provide participants with an introduction to big data analytics and act as a platform for finding answers to questions and discussions, and the crystallisation of ideas.
 
The participants will then have four weeks to develop a prototype Big App solution for submission.
 
MDeC, Tentspark kick off big data analytics/ open data app challengeThe Big App Challenge is open to individuals including students, startups, and software companies, with prizes worth more than RM100,000 (US$31,000 approx.) to be won. Participants are allowed to develop their solutions on any IT platform.
 
“The national Big App Challenge presents a good opportunity for us to share our knowledge and expertise with the community and help to promote the growth of big data analytics in Malaysia,” said Tang Siak Kwan (pic) of Tentspark.
 
A portal was created to support and play a critical role in the National Malaysia Big Data Analytics initiative, serving as a hub for awareness and publicity, especially in the areas of thought leadership, open data, programmes, events, white papers, case studies, talent, technology, and funding.
 
The portal, www.BigDataAnalytics.my, is supported by Digital Malaysia, MSC Malaysia, and the National BDA Taskforce that comprises industry leaders, associations, the public sector, and academia.
 
Registration and submissions can be completed online at www.BigDataAnalytics.my. Registration is free and all submissions must be made by Oct 31, 2014.
 
The Big App Challenge will conclude in an awards ceremony cum big data conference that will be held in November, featuring presentations by the top three winners and witnessed by industry experts and other guests.
 
Related Stories:
 
Malaysia’s big data policy framework ready soon
 
Big data key to developed nation goal: Communications Minister
 
Malaysia to appoint chief data scientist?
 
Next step for Digital Malaysia: The ‘DM354’ roadmap
 
 
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