Data analytics involves the collection, organization, analysis, and visualization of data, enabling organizations and individuals to observe patterns, understand situations, make predictions, and make informed decisions. With timely information gathered by sensors and the internet and continuously enhanced computing power, big data analytics and AI can strengthen the capacity to analyze, interpret, forecast, and prescribe solutions for better performance and productivity.

To impart fundamental knowledge of data analytics and visualization as well as their implications for organizational operations, the APO Secretariat joined forces with the NPO Turkiye to conduct an online training course on Big Data Analytics and Data Visualization for Productivity from 26–29 November 2024. Thirty-seven participants from 13 APO members completed the course, led by one resource person from the Netherlands, one from Singapore, and two from Turkiye.

Participants were familiarized with fundamental concepts of data science and their applications for businesses and public-sector organizations. They also discussed definitions, principles, and measures related to data ethics and information security. In addition, exercises on data collection, processing, analysis, and visualization provided the participants with experience initiating data projects and using data to enhance productivity.