Ayrshire College won the Public Sector Award at the Scottish Digital Business Awards for its innovative digital tool that is used by staff to reduce the risk of students leaving their course early.
Using predictive data analytics, the tool identifies students at risk of withdrawal on an ongoing basis. This enables staff across the college to take action to help keep them on course.
Predictive data analytics is a growing field and the college showcased how it is applying this earlier in the year when it was the only college in Scotland to host an event as part of #DataFest17.
The College’s fringe conference, 'Ayrshire Bytes - Data Changes Everything', presented perspectives from a range of industry experts on how data and digital technologies are transforming people’s jobs, lives and education.
Vice Principal Jackie Galbraith said:
"Our innovative retention tool has helped to reduce student withdrawal from courses and improve student outcomes. The results are clear - fewer students withdrew from their course last year, and student success on full-time courses increased.
"We’re delighted that our innovative use of predictive analytics has been recognised by winning the Scottish Digital Business Public Sector Award."