Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) students and academics have proven their mettle on the global stage by clinching a spot in the top 3 in the Data Mining Cup 2023 competition, standing tall alongside two distinguished universities from Germany.

The Data Mining Cup (DMC) is an eagerly anticipated annual competition designed to inspire and challenge university academics and students in the field of intelligent data analysis, or data mining. This year’s competition featured 69 teams from 17 countries, with APU being the sole representative from Malaysia and the entire Asian continent.

The winning APU research group, comprising two academics, Senior Lecturer Mr. Mafas Raheem and Associate Professor Dr. Nirase Fathima Abubacker from APU’s School of Computing (SoC), and Ms. Devina Wiyani, a student specialising in Data Analytics, developed a project that aims to minimise product returns in e-commerce. 

Their groundbreaking project named "Returns Reduction in E-commerce" harnesses the potential of Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyse product reviews. By delving into the sentiments expressed by customers, the team identified common themes and issues impacting customer satisfaction. 

As one of the winners, the team earned the honour of presenting their project at a workshop in Berlin, Germany, sponsored by the organiser GK Artificial Intelligence for Retail AG.

During the workshop, Mr. Mafas Raheem explained, "The project provided insights into customer review sentiment, enabling sellers to quickly identify areas of concern and take action to improve their products and services." He also mentioned that they received commendations for the techniques they proposed. 

For Devina Wiyani, a final year undergraduate student specialising in Data Analytics, the experience was nothing short of transformational. "I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to Berlin and present our ideas and projects. This experience has provided invaluable practical exposure to developing AI and data implementations in the retail industry, aligning perfectly with my career aspirations upon graduation," shared Devina.

APU's remarkable triumph in the Data Mining Cup 2023 serves as a beacon of inspiration, empowering students pursuing data analytics to reach greater heights. It underscores the potential of applying knowledge and skills to solve real-world challenges and reinforces the university's commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering learning environment.

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