Spears School of Business

 

From left, OSU business analytics graduate students Anant Joshi, Imran Haider and Ruthvik Kadiyala teamed up to place third at the 2024 Adobe Analytics Challenge.

                                                                                                                                                                

 

A team of three Oklahoma State University business analytics graduate students recently had an impressive showing at the 2024 Adobe Analytics Challenge, placing third out of more than 2,000 teams representing over 40 countries.

 

Ruthvik Kadiyala, Anant Joshi and Imran Haider won $9,000 as a team in the unique, analytics-focused business case competition where students were given the opportunity to use Adobe’s industry-leading analytics products and access to real-world data from leading organizations.

 

“Securing third place in such a prestigious and competitive environment is an incredible honor and a testament to our hard work and dedication,” Haider said. “It validates our skills and potential in the field of data analytics, providing us with confidence in our ability to tackle real-world problems.

 

“This achievement is not just a personal or team victory but a moment of great pride for our entire school community. It has motivated us to continue pursuing excellence in our studies and future careers, knowing that our efforts can lead to significant recognition.”

 

The OSU students traveled to Las Vegas to compete March 24-28 in the challenge finals at the Adobe Summit.

 

The challenge involved analyzing a comprehensive dataset from a leading automaker, which included details from their website, email campaigns and customer leads. The primary goal was to dissect and understand the underlying factors influencing customer engagement and conversion rates.

 

In the initial phase of the competition, teams submitted a strategic slide deck detailing their approach to enhancing customer engagement and conversion for the automaker. From this stage, 20 teams were selected to present their strategies with slight revisions within a concise 10-minute timeframe. Four teams advanced to the final round where each was granted the opportunity to refine their deck further and conduct additional analysis. This culminated in a 12-minute presentation at the Adobe Summit.

 

“The competition sharpened my understanding significantly, not just in harnessing technical skills but in mastering the art of data storytelling and impactful communication,” Joshi said. “A standout aspect was getting hands-on experience with Adobe’s GenAI tool, Firefly, which opens up new avenues for AI-driven analysis and deepened my analytical toolkit. This journey taught me the importance of presenting data in a way that can influence decision-making.”

 

Dr. Goutam Chakraborty, director of OSU’s Master’s in Business Analytics and Data Science (MS BAnDS) program, was pleased with the team’s performance.

 

“I am incredibly proud of our MS BAnDS student team who achieved this result,” Chakraborty said. “It is a tremendous honor for them and for our program. It is a testament of their hard work and the quality education they get in this program.”

 

The OSU students say the competition is helping prepare them for their future careers in data analytics.

 

“Participating in this competition was an invaluable experience that significantly enriched my understanding and skills in data analytics, preparing me for a successful career in the field,” Kadiyala said. “Engaging with real-world data was not only enjoyable but also enlightening, offering a glimpse into the complex challenges that arise in the industry.”

 

For more information about the Master’s in Business Analytics and Data Science program at OSU, visit the website.