DataCamp Collaboration with GDSC-SMIU
In 2020 I started the DataCamp Introduction to Data Science with Python(Danella Patrick — Student (datacamp.com)) career track course which was granted by DataCamp donates in collaboration with GDSC Suffa, DataCamp Donates provides unpaid sponsorships/free licenses to non-funding students clubs that work voluntarily for tech geeks. I was one of the students that were shortlisted for a DataCamp Free License. I was just starting my career as a data scientist and was eagerly searching for free platforms that can guide me from scratch. I learned a lot from DataCamp Tracks the Professors were highly experienced and had both theoretical and practical knowledge, and the hands-on MCQs and Exercises in between the videos give a brief understanding and clarity.
In 2021, I became the GDSC lead for my campus and the first task/opportunity I thought to bring in my tenure was to get sponsorships from DataCamp. I applied for a sponsorship, The process was very easy and with the help of the lead of GDSC-Suffa and Nathaniel Taylor- Lead , DataCamp Social Impact Manager , I finally got 150 Sponsorships which started from October 1st, 2021. I went to my faculty advisor and with his help, we made criteria that we will select the students according to their GPA and their interest in the license. But the foremost thing was to market the student and get them to know that such an opportunity is been provided to them and for that we hosted an event known as Info Desk where we told them about DataCamp and its courses by distributing brochures and we made little props and standees to get their attention. It was a great event and we were able to get up to 300 registrations the cool part was the candidates were not specified to CS Dept.
We shortlisted 150 of them and sent them an invite, we made a WhatsApp group to have an open chat about their queries and achievements they were having. In between, we did many conversations to keep an update of what was happening and how they are finding the course and the determination and dedication of the students made me feel so blessed and happy As an admin/ Leader I faced a lot of issues as well, there were some who use to criticize or blame after not getting an invitation or having any issues with the server, and in this DataCamp Support helped us a lot by solving our queries.
Today the students of DataCamp from SMIU are the founders and workers of startups like AI bot and kwick doctor, Anuq.pk they are some who been in their 3rd or 4th year are doing internships in reputable companies. Students like Ibtehaj Khan Founder of AI Bot, Muhammad Razeen intern at AI Bot, Anas Arshad intern at AI Bot , Muhammad Saad Khan intern at Kwick Doctor, Saram intern at Micro Electronics Research Lab (MERL) , Muhammad Mustafa, Muhammad Khizar, Dua Jan, Muneeb Ahmed, and Abdul Kabeer, Tayaba Akram, Sheeraz Hussain are the most dedicated and bright students of DataCamp Donates in collaboration with GDSC SMIU. Most of them have completed their career tracks in different domains and are very happy and pleased with their learnings.
The faculty advisor of GDSC-SMIU- Sir. Azeem Inam : quotes this for DataCamp Donates Partnership
“ Many congratulations to Ms. Danella Patrick (Former Lead GDSC-SMIU) for your successful journey. You have achieved a lot in this time especially your contribution of attaining DataCamp subscriptions for 150+ students for Free has been a great achievement. I have seen students enthusiastically taking courses and learning AI skills from one of the best platforms that I have experienced to learn data science. I hope that Syed Wajid Hussain (GDSC — SMIU Lead) will also be able to convince the DataCamp Donate for continuing their generosity to the students of one of the oldest institutions in Pakistan. Best of luck with your future endeavors.” Syed. Azeem Inam
As the year is ending and maybe our sponsorship will renew, we would like to thank the DataCamp Donates team for their support and guidance throughout the year. Special thanks to Mr. Nathaniel and Mr. Rayan and the DataCamp Social Impact Team for giving us this opportunity.
