Sep 11, 2025

The First Just Analytics Competition

KFUPM hosted the first Just Analytics Competition on August 28, 2025, an event that celebrated the growing interest in data science across the Eastern Province.

The competition was a continuation of the Just Analytics Workshops held earlier in May, which introduced over 270 students from 5 Saudi universities, including KFUPM, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Prince Mohammed bin Fahad University, King Faisal University, and University of Hafer Albaten, to the world of data analytics without requiring prior programming skills.

From the initial 400+ registrations, 35 outstanding students advanced to the in-person final at KFUPM, where they showcased their skills using Orange, a no-code data science platform. The competition not only tested the accuracy and quality of the participants’ solutions, but also pushed them to bridge the gap between theory and practical implementation.

The Winners Shined Bright

• First Place (SAR 7,000): Syed Faree Abdullah, KFUPM
• Second Place (SAR 5,000): Manar Saad Alyousef, King Faisal University
• Third Place (SAR 3,000): Khaled Al-Kamel, KFUPM

Nevertheless, the real victory was collective: students from diverse academic backgrounds proved that data science is accessible, practical, and impactful, requiring no prior coding experience. Looking ahead, organizers plan to expand the competition into a two-day event, a full day of interactive training followed by the final competition and awards ceremony, providing a stronger platform for learning, innovation, and community engagement.

The event also highlighted KFUPM’s role as a hub for collaboration, drawing in talent from across Saudi Arabia and sparking enthusiasm for the future of data-driven innovation, cementing the competition as a signature platform for cultivating data science talent in the Kingdom.