Air Liquide announces the winners of its inaugural data challenge competition for Southeast Asia students

SINGAPORE,July 31,2018 -- On 30th July 2018,Air Liquide held its first regional student competition in Southeast Asia on the subject of Data Science. Themed "Future Ready," 6 student finalists selected out of 648 submissions,were invited to Kuala Lumpur to present their algorithms and demonstrate its robustness,speed and accuracy.

Left to Right: Wang Sheng Liu from Nanyang Technological University,Singapore,Mr Ng Boon Hai,VP for Southeast Asia Cluster Air Liquide,Perry Wang from National University of Singapore.

"Future Ready" brought together students from top universities across Southeast Asia,primarily in the field of Data Science,Computer Engineering and Information Technology. It challenged participants to create the most precise algorithms in two separate challenges,either predicting a customer's gas consumption,or a plant's energy consumption.

The work by Wang Sheng Liu of Nanyang Technological University,Singapore was recognised as the winner of the "Predict my Customer Needs" Challenge while that of Perry Wang of National University of Singapore,Singapore took home first place in the "Predict my Plant Consumption" Challenge. They overcame challenges from 648 participants and took home a 5-day trip to Paris,including a visit to the Air Liquide Innovation Lab as a reward for their efforts.

The algorithms developed will support Air Liquide's Digital Strategy in Southeast Asia. In January 2018,Air Liquide opened its Smart Innovative Operations Center for Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Kuala Lumpur,leveraging data to remotely control and optimize the operations of AirLiquide's production units. In tandem,it continues to develop its digital roadmap to enhance the customer experience of its business partners.

Perry,winner for 'Predict my Plant Consumption' noted,"I've gained so many insights through the journey of this competition." Wang Sheng,winner for 'Predict my Customer Needs' continued,"I'm very excited to pursue my career in Data Science. I'm very grateful to Air Liquide for providing us with this invaluable experience."

NG Boon Hai, Vice President of Southeast Asia Cluster said: "With data science playing a crucial role in Industry 4.0,we are glad to collaborate with young,talented students who gave fresh insights on this topic. This competition is in line with our open innovation approach,as we heavily rely on big data and predictive analytics to better serve our customers and to run our plants efficiently."

Air Liquide in Southeast Asia

Air Liquide in Southeast Asia is present in 7 countries. A pioneer in the region with its entrance into Malaya in 1927,Air Liquide has been a partner in the region's economic growth in many industries including the energy,industrial manufacturing,electronics and healthcare markets. Air Liquide offers its customers innovative solutions at every step of their production,providing a full array of industrial,specialty and medical gases,application technologies and related services,supported by the expertise and experience of more than 2,000 employees.

Air Liquide Digital transformation strategy

Digital transformation at Air Liquide is about leveraging the power of digital to deliver a world-class customer experience. It involves harnessing data and creating digital solutions to better manage its Assets,interact with its Customers and patients,and leverage its Ecosystems (ACE strategy). The value created offers greater efficiencies and increased new growth opportunities notably.

Air Liquide

The world leader in gases,technologies and services for Industry and Health,Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 65,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients. Oxygen,nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life,matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902.

Air Liquide's ambition is to lead its industry,deliver long-term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company's customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence,selective investments,open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people,Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition,changes in healthcare and digitization,and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.

Air Liquide's revenues amounted to €20.3 billion in 2017,and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40,EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.

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