Data Challenge Week DCW18 for EngD

The post master EngD Program Data Science has its own, unique way of assessing applicants and educating trainees. The program has implemented Data Challenge Weeks, in which applicants and trainees cooperate in teams challenged by Big Data Sets provided by one of the industrial partners of the program. By observing and coaching, this week is an assessment for the applicants and an intense way of learning for the trainees of the program. Data Challenge Weeks can be regarded as a high pressure project in which both the process (how?) and the result (what?) count. Data Challenge Weeks are organized twice a year in the months September/October and March/April.

September/October 2024 edition: we are coming together!

Together in one place. From September 27 – October 4, 2024 we will challenge our particpants in Bungalow park Kempervennen.

In this week, six groups max. 8 people ( trainees and applicants) work together on a real life problem, based on data sets from a host company; each group consist of a group leader, trainees and applicants. An important aspect in the Data Challenge Week is the involvement of the trainees of the program in the preparation phase. The group leaders of the teams have the task to identify and specify themes from the provided data set together with the company supervisor, one theme per team. Each team focuses on the theme as distinguished by the group leader. The goal of doing this is twofold. First, the group leaders get familiar with the full data set before the start of the Data Challenge Week. Second, they identify the themes, so that group work can be organized more efficiently. Third, identification of themes and communication with the stakeholder is a challenging task that is relevant in their future projects and jobs. The other trainees are prepared for their tasks as a member of the team as part of their professional development skill training.

Social event

We work hard, we play hard. The Data Challenge Week is also a social event. During the week, teams live in bungalows, where they have to work, eat, sleep, and socialize. The bungalows are located in a holiday park within the evening enough possibilities for leisure and pleasure. The week starts with about maximum 48 participants, 50% trainees, 50% selected applicants The goal is to lay the foundation for the cohort based education of the program, a social structure in the bungalow park and a working atmosphere, six teams accepting each other’s roles.

©2024: Living in a bungalow for one week. One company. Six problems. Six teams

Schedule

The week starts on Friday September 27th and ends the Friday thereafter October 4th, 2024.

On the first Friday, in Mariënburg, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the group leaders introduce the themes that they distinguished from the provided data set. After this introduction, the teams are announced formed and the group start with team canvas, to get to know each other better. At the end of the day the participants leave for the bungalow park. From Friday afternoon till Wednesday morning the groups work in the bungalow park. They are visited, observed, and supported by the program manager and coach, of JADS during these days.

At the final presentations, the applicants are giving the opportunity to present the results of their team, take place at Landgoed De Biestheuvel where the supervisors of the industrial host, program management and other staff from JADS is present. Wednesday evening, there is a closing diner for all who contributed to the Data Challenge Week success.
Thursday and Friday are reserved for application interviews. They take place at the bungalow park and at Mariënburg. After the Data Challenge Week you as an applicant will know whether you made it to the program or not. For non-EU applicants it takes about three months to get a visa, resident and work permits.

Interested in our EngD program?

Ready to work, not done learning? Our two-year Engineering Doctorate program offers you specialized expertise and practical hard and soft skills relevant to industry. And so boosting your career prospects and allowing you to make a real-world impact through research. You’ll collaborate closely with industry partners, receive financial support, and gain recognition for your professional development.