Training for action: data analysis for the social sector

The Data Analytics course is an applied course implementing a pedagogy inspired by Service Learning and Learning by Doing. Divided into different teams, the students explored important challenges for the social profit sector and the sustainable development of our society, such as the care offered to the elderly or the match between the training offer and the work sector. These analyses were based, among other things, on data from the Social Profit Data Trust, a platform created by the King Baudouin Foundation in collaboration with representatives of the social profit sector: UNIPSO, Verso, Unisoc, BRUXEO and ConcertES. An immersive setting that enabled students to develop their data analysis skills while reflecting on the positive impacts that their talents in this practice could bring to society.

"The aim of this assignment is to enable students to put themselves in the shoes of real data analysts: analyzing data, proposing concrete solutions and communicating their results in a clear and impactful way, explains Claire Deventer, teacher of the course. "More than technical skills, data analysis also requires managerial, human and ethical skills. Students were coached to think about the impact their data analysis could have on society, and ways of making it as ethical as possible."

Inspired by the Service Learning philosophy where students learn by putting their skills at the service of society, the project spearheaded by Claire Deventer benefited from invaluable pedagogical support from Maxime Giegas, specialist in education for global citizenship and solidarity at the FUCID, Charlotte Sine, technopedagogue at the Faculty of Education and Training Sciences (FaSEF) as well as Benito Giunta, assistant at the Faculty EMCP.

The students explored three key themes for the social profit sector: an aging society, the changing labor market and the development of the social profit sector.

On December 12, 2024, after nearly three months of reflection and work on their theme, the students were able to deliver their analyses and best proposals for solutions. It was at the Namur Stock Exchange that the six student teams presented their work to the project partners, present to debate these important themes:

• Tine Holvoet, policy advisor, entrepreneurship and innovation at Verso
Mathieu de Poorter, economic advisor at UnipsoQuentin Pivont, economic advisor at Unipso
• Emilien Leurquin, economic advisor at Unisoc

By highlighting concrete solutions for the social profit sector, this project illustrates how data analytics skills can contribute to and respond to societal and sustainability issues. "Seeing engineering students take an interest in social economy issues is not only inspiring, but essential for building bridges between the academic and professional worlds," enthuses Quentin Pivont.

"The aim of the project was to analyze data to produce a study, a model and come up with concrete solutions", explain Tanguy and Lénaïc, students in management engineering. "We were very challenged, but the teachers supervised us very well." For Ambre and Inès, also management engineering students, this project was a revelation: "This work enabled us to combine our knowledge of programming and analysis with direct feedback from professionals. It enabled us to refine our interests and better define what we like to do. It was a fairly substantial piece of work, but we're really proud of what we're going to propose."

This innovative pedagogical project demonstrates how data analysis can be a powerful lever for tackling societal challenges and promoting sustainable development. By collaborating with key players in the social profit sector, students not only developed technical and managerial skills, but also became aware of the importance of their role as committed future professionals. This type of initiative perfectly illustrates the University's potential to connect academic knowledge, societal needs and concrete innovations to build a more equitable and sustainable future.