2013 is speeding away to give a green light for a promising 2014. Year change is the most magic time when we cross the line under all we managed to do in the past year and optimistically look ahead. As a tradition, in early December SAP University Alliances CIS invited our friends and partners to the last party in Y2013 to celebrate achievements, shake hands, say thank yous and, for sure, give a food to think about new ways of teamwork with SAP.

This time SAP University Alliances CIS so-called «Info-day» was kindly hosted by Higher School of Economics, Nizhny Novgorod branch. Despite of all the work pressure that chases university staff before exam time 27 professors from 15 universities took a chance to meet once again under SAP University Alliances flags. And it was worth… The program covered the whole range of topics starting from university strategic development including educational offers and trends and ending up with the latest SAP products.

The special guest Prof.Dr. Joerg Becker, vice-rector, University of Munster (Germany), talked on the emerging trends in information systems and business process management. The General Manager of SAP Labs CIS Dmitrij Armjakov presented new business tendencies from SAP standpoint and described how universities could co-innovate with SAP developer department. SAP specialists alongside with partners explained what benefits SAP solution “Campus management” aimed to manage the operations specifically at the large modern universities may bring and how SAP BusinessOne will gloriously win SME sector. The special attention was paid to the localized educational course GBI (SAP BusinessSuite) which is #1 for SAP University Alliances CIS universities with hosting. The full day program was finalized by Yuri Kupriyanov, SAP University Alliances CIS manager, who shared results 2013 and expectations from 2014.

We express our gratitude to all universities and their representatives who spent 2013 with SAP University Alliances CIS and are impatient to greet fresh members and welcome new friends in 2014.

Merry X-mas and Happy New Year!

Always Yours,

SAP University Alliances CIS

We are happy to announce that registration for upcoming train the trainer courses in EMEA is now open. The training season is based on the results of the conducted training needs analysis - reflecting the personal requirements and development needs and interests of the community. The offered courses cover a wide variety of UA's curriculum offering and include for example introductory trainings (covering the general set-up of the UA program and the basic GBI case studies) as well as courses focussing on SAP's key product offerings - e.g. SAP Mobile Platform and SAP HANA. Especially new UA member professors and lecturer are invited to participate in five days of train-the-trainer oriented coursework that will introduce participants to SAP functionality as well as best practices for successful classroom use.

Registration and a detailed description of all offered trainings can be found on the UA EMEA Portal in the event section.

The UA and UCC teams in EMEA are looking forward to seeing you in one of the upcoming courses!

Everyone knows that Design Thinking is an acknowledged marker of SAP University Alliances program 2013. It's an awesome combination of very practical approach to problem solving with enough fun to keep attention and attraction. Obviously, the main part is still realistic cases aimed to find creative solutions and make our world a better place to live. That is exactly why SAP University Alliances CIS organizes so-called InnoJams only where and when there's a solid problem requiring exploration.

Right up to the start of Universiade 2013 SAP University Alliances CIS was invited by a long-term friend and partner Kazan Federal University to discuss several topics that are the inalienable part of any large-scale and crowded event: information flows, security and heritage that stays for the future generations. Of course, the best audience to address these questions are students – smart, caring and energetic. It was even more relevant as it seemed all Kazan student community volunteered to assist the Universiade Organizing Committee.

That's why Kazan Federal University stepped forward to organize design-thinking master-class led by SAP and to invite representatives of different specialties from 3 main city universities to join efforts around 3 hot cases:

1. Universiade and relative initiatives always gather the enormous number of visitors each and every of whom wishes to see as much as possible and be in the center of all happening. That is the clear demand in well-considered information system that is available from the 1st step and reflecting all changes in proper time. What measures could solve this challenge?
2. Our world got understandably crazy about security measures. The ideal situation is to have some solution that allows to inform about crime from everywhere in the shortest time and with minimum risks of cheating and joking. And what’s also important – the key should be simple and not to cause divestiture.
3. Such a great sport event leaves behind modern stadiums, gyms etc. It’s not easy to keep it all and use for the benefit of citizens. How to interest people to return to the sport constructions and persuade them to bring families and kids after Universiade is finished?

We were anxious and curious about the ways partakers would go to find the rationality during just one day. But everything went smoothly and creatively and even weather favored master-class schedule. The lively part named «Interviewing» went on under the smiling sun and after students entered the venue it turned out a strong wind and heavy shower that made us shut all windows immediately.

It was fascinating to watch team discussions which reminded more of mini-battles. And we were very glad to observe that everything ended up peacefully and with unexpected though reasonable solutions which we're not supposed to reveal as students were serious about bringing them to life. We must admit that the lovely feature of these proposals (though they came from different teams) is the opportunity to be combined as Lego-blocks and will follow how it goes.

SAP University Alliances CIS thanks Kazan Federal University for an opportunity to work for a benefit of the coolest sport event Universiade and all the students who found time during the summer break to come, listen, ask and think linking creativity and knowledge amazing solutions.

If someone took time to follow SAP travelling around CIS region, (s)he should notice that 2013 was a year of SAP Forum events the last of which was held early October in Minsk, Belorussia. SAP University Alliances being the mandatory part of SAP Forum series couldn't stay at home and, by tradition, organized the dedicated section for Belarussian professors.

The work scheme with local universities is truly unique and cycled. Almost each SAP UA member has SAP partner behind that strictly follows the maturity of educational materials around SAP technologies and systems, holds open lectures and seminars and plays the role of employer with the right to hire the best. When the horizon of employment is so logical, close and realistic, student motivation goes up hugely. And faculty staff also benefits from this «business – education» linkage because it's always oriented on the factual needs with the great opportunity to check the chosen direction with industry experts.  

SAP University Alliances CIS is fully committed to support this chain and to provide resources to make the triangular collaboration as fruitful as it can be. That's why SAP UA section as SAP Forum Minsk 2013 invited not only professors but representatives from the partners (i.e., famous and respected EPAM) who got acquainted with the new program strategy (LEARN | APPLY | SHARE | RECRUIT) as well as with the «intellectual capitals» backing up each statement.

Our most motivating part – Q&A – was devastating, so many questions, so much interest that we continued unofficial discussions far after the official section time was over. It brings hope that in 2014 Belarussia will be the pearl of SAP University Alliances CIS from activities' standpoint. By the way, the 1^st Belorussian SAP student InnoJam is already scheduled for March 2014. 

End of June is a sweet time for student community – exams are over and long-expected summer break lies ahead. May be it's not the best time to organize any event for future professionals but SAP University Alliances CIS and T-Systems decided to share the risks and try to end the educational year on the cheerful note. What could be the best for this purpose if not Design Thinking in frames of InnoJam party?

13 students from 3 local universities overcame temptations of the deserved days-off and moved to the welcoming grounds of Voronezh State University (VSU), the dedicated SAP University Alliances member. The cases that awaited those brave people were written specifically for InnoJam and touched tricky scenarios combining interests of T-Systems, global SAP partner, and VSU in strategic development and leadership. After the 1st round of cases' reading we noticed the «trembling knees» and had a feeling that some participants were ready to leave immediately. Fortunately, we overestimated the student curiosity and the work continued.

It was much fun to see the teams of our InnoJam-ers almost running across the university buildings with the list of questions and asking surprised parents who brought their recent school graduates to apply for a student status. It was good that parents took the exercise seriously and answered in detail and included imaginative add-inns. After all, it played a tremendous role to make the proposed prototypes human-oriented.

The viability of solutions was evaluated by the head of student lab at T-Systems Alexey Derbushev and the dean of VSU IT department Eduard Algazinov. Both were critical and questioning but adjudged the prototypes have potential and even promised to consider the opportunity to develop ideas further in frames of the VSU Center of IT technologies – the best appraisal SAP University Alliances CIS hoped for.

For sure, the event was generous on souvenirs from SAP and T-Systems and all participants were pleased they made the right decision to join the intellectual cross – SAP Student InnoJam.

SAP Academic Conference is a culmination of event series held by SAP University Alliances around the Globe during the year. This year conference (September, Munich) had a focus on CIS region with the special table to discuss the opportunities for growth and deepened collaboration. We can write a lot of positive words how great everything was but more precious to look at event by the eyes of participant.

Let us give the word to Dr. Lidia Maslova, Deputy Professor, Department of International Economic Relations, Moscow State University of Foreign Relations:

XVIII SAP Academic Conference in my opinion was one of the best events organized by SAP University Alliances in the EMEA region. The content of presentations and subsequent discussions as well as event overall set-up and the venue were of the superb quality.

It was a great honor for me to represent my University at the Announcement on-stage ceremony of a joint initiative of MGIMO-University and SAP CIS on running an Master of Arts-program on SAP Banking which took place on the main conference day. We see this initiative as a great opportunity for us to strengthen our relations with SAP CIS, move forward with co-innovation projects within SAP-Ecosystem and provide better career outlook for our students. And I would like to thank SAP University Alliances team for supporting us in making these first and very important steps towards launching the program.

And I would also point out the CIS-roundtable as a very important part of the conference where international students project seminars and opportunities for setting up double degree diplomas with European universities were discussed.

All in all I definitely see a great value in the events like that and not just for the purpose of networking with professors from different universities across Europe working with SAP, but also for attending different workshops on innovative (Design Thinking, SAP HANA) and conventional (ERPSim) topics. From my perspective three days I spent in Munich have really enriched knowledge of SAP UAP network, helped me establish some useful connections and get enthusiastic about working with SAP.

What is SAP Lumira?

SAP Lumira is an exciting new tool that allows you to quickly and easily create engaging visualizations that combine data from multiple sources into a single view. An intuitive UI featuring drag and drop functionality allows everyone to tell a great data story.

SAP Lumira can help you gather, analyze and present the facts to solve your most pressing business questions – for any line of business.

Important Dates

Submission deadline: 28th Feb, 2014

Final: 14th Mar, 2014

Rules

1. Participant: 1 person per team

2. Registration: click "Register Now", the first 1000 registered ones have the chances to win iPod Shuffle, please follow us on Sina Weibo, @SAP大学生社区

3. Judging Criteria: after installation, you can import the data you've collected, and use Lumira to analyze the data, and present your story.

Please also record the procedure how you collect, analyze and visualize the data. Video with dubbing will be a plus!

Challenge Categories:

• Best Visualization: Entries will be judged on use of visual analysis, compelling charts and how efficiently graphs depict the dataset.
• Best Big Data Entry: Entries will be judged on the best data story using volume of data and use of data variety.
• Most Compelling Story: Entries will be judged on creativity, use of data, storytelling, and use of data visualization.

4. Lumira for Downloading:

http://global.sap.com/campaign/ne/free_trial/visual_intelligence/wty_int_visual_intelligence.epx

5. Submission:

Please email your submission to: johnson.liu01@sap.com

With the subject of Email: SAP Lumira University Challenge

6. Prizes:

• 2 winners for 1st Prize win iPhone 5C each
• 4 winners for 2nd Prize win iPad Mini each
• 6 winners for 3rd Prize win Amazon Kindle Fire HD each
• All 12 winners will be invited to present on 2014 SAP D-Code in Shanghai for free, SAP will sponsor the ticket, transportation and accommodation.

Reference for the tool

Handbook of Lumira: http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-26507

Video:

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTY3MTU3ODUy.html

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTY3MTU5MDQ0.html

Contacts

For technical questions, please contact: johnson.liu01@sap.com

For other questions, please contact: josie.guan01@sap.com

Code for Charity Singapore

SAP donates €50,000 to needy student fund and engages 10,000 students

SAP is the exclusive sponsor of Code for Charity, a first-of its-kind challenge in Singapore where students code for a charitable cause. Initiated by the infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), this challenge takes place concurrently at the open houses of all five polytechnics in Singapore from 9 to 11 Jan 2014 (Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic). Over 10,000 prospective students, parents and teachers are exposed to the challenge in this nationwide program over the three days.

The Code for Charity provides an opportunity for participants, with or without programming knowledge, to take part in coding challenges and in the process help their less privileged peers. The donation of €50,000 is distributed equally to each polytechnic’s needy student fund where students in need can tap on extra financial aid. More can be found in attached press release.

This initiative cements SAP’s strong partnership with each of the 5 polytechnics in Singapore. All of them are active members of SAP University Alliances program, incorporating SAP technology and best practices in their teaching curriculum and student projects. Every year, more than 2,000 students from these 5 polytechnics interact with SAP software in learning labs, student projects and industry internships.

At the open houses, some of the polytechnics, like Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic, showcase their SAP-related academic programs and student projects to prospective students and their parents. SAP Student ambassadors are on hand to share their learning experience to inspire more youngsters to join their diploma courses. A big “thank-you” to all the student volunteers who are so passionate about SAP and the value it brings to their academic and career development.

SAP University Alliances had a fantastic year and were able to reach out to more than 1.5 million students globally with the knowledge of
SAP, SAP HANA and the latest in technologies such as SAP Mobility, Analytics, Cloud Computing, Database & Technology and Applications. The UA India team participated in the festivals of many top colleges throughout the year to spread the knowledge on these topics. What a year we had – but we are not going
to stop here and will reach out to more colleges in 2014!

The first festival that UA will be a part of is Echoes 2014 from 24 Jan to 26 Jan 2014, hosted by Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode which is also a member of the SAP University Alliances program. We will set up an information booth at the venue for students to get information on SAP and the buzzing topics. There will be speaker sessions on 25 and 26 Jan to address a group of interested students – there will be quizzes and we would be giving out SAP goodies to the winners!

I will update this blog further after we conclude this event!!

See you there!

Check out the event website by IIM Kozhikode - http://www.iimkechoes.com/

Echoes Facebook Page - Echoes - IIM Kozhikode | Facebook 

K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research is organizing its annual management festival – from 15-16 February 2014 called Melange
2014 - ttp://www.melange-simsr.com/

SAP University Alliances India team will not miss out this opportunity to be there in the center of all action – interact with the students and spread the knowledge on topics such as SAP, SAP HANA, applications, cloud computing, database & technology and mobility. We will be setting up a UA booth with will serve as an
information center and we would also conduct a quiz at the booth and during the speaker sessions what would be organized during the festival (just an excuse to give out goodies J).

I will update this blog further after we conclude this event!!

See you there!

Check out these pages -

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/melangesimsr

YouTube Teaser - K.J. SIMSR Melange'14 First Teaser - YouTube

BITs Pilani Goa Campus is organizing its annual technical/ cultural festival Quark 2014 from 7-9 Feb 2014. This festival looks like one great event to be part of and UA is going to be there!! – please visit the website to know more

http://www.bits-quark.org/2014/

SAP University Alliances India team will not miss out this opportunity to be there in the center of all action – interact with the students and spread the knowledge on topics such as SAP, SAP HANA, applications, cloud computing, database & technology and mobility.

We will be setting up a UA booth with will serve as an information center and we would also conduct a quiz at the booth and during the speaker sessions what would be organized during the festival (just an excuse to give out goodies ).

I will update this blog further after we conclude this event!!

See you there!

Check out these pages!

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bitsquark

Twitter - Quark 2014, BITS Goa (bitsquark) auf Twitter

SAP University Alliances India team is participating in many University events and festivals in India where a large number of students gather to exchange knowledge and cultural learnings. SRM University, Chennai, India and a University Alliances member school is hosting their annual National Level College festival called “Milan 2014” from 23^rd to 26^th January 2014. This is the 2^nd year in a row where the SAP University Alliances India team would participate in their fest as this an opportunity for us to be there in the center of all action – interact with the students and spread the knowledge on topics such as SAP, SAP HANA, applications, cloud computing, database & technology and mobility.

We will be setting up a UA booth with will serve as an information center and we would also conduct a quiz at the booth and during the speaker sessions what would be organized during the festival.

See you there.

Check out the following links for more info on SRM University and Milan festival:

• Information on Milan http://www.srm-milan.com/milan2014/
• Information on SRM University http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/index.html
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNKyQAiPv_I-uwDW18K0xHQ?feature=watch
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/srmmilan

SAP University Alliances India team is participating in many University events and festivals in India where a large number of students gather to exchange knowledge and cultural learnings. Our next stop is at IIT Guwahati, one of the top IT college in India, which is hosting their annual college festival called “Alcheringa 2014” from 30^th Jan to 2^nd February 2014. SAP University Alliances India team would be participating in their fest as this an opportunity for us
to be there in the center of all action – interact with the students and spread the knowledge on topics such as SAP, SAP HANA, applications, cloud computing, database & technology and mobility.

We will be setting up a UA booth with will serve as an information center and we would also conduct a quiz at the booth and during the speaker sessions
what would be organized during the festival.

Check out the following links for more info on IIT Guwahati and Alcheringa festival:

• Information on Alcheringa http://www.alcheringa.in
• Information on IIT Guwahati http://www.iitg.ac.in
• Twitter -https://www.facebook.com/alcheringaiitg
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alcheringaiitg

SAP University Alliances India team is participating in many University events and festivals in India where a large number of students gather to exchange knowledge and cultural learnings.  Our next stop is IIT Jodhpur, one of the top IT college in India, is hosting their annual college festival called “IGNUS 2014” from 27^th Feb to 2^nd March 2014. SAP University Alliances India team would not like to miss this opportunity as we want to be in the center of all action – interact with the students and spread the knowledge on topics such as SAP, SAP HANA, applications, cloud computing, database &
technology and mobility.

We will be setting up a UA booth with will serve as an information center and we would also conduct a quiz at the booth and during the speaker sessions
what would be organized during the festival. Look forward to seeing you at the event

Check out the following links for more info on IIT Jodhpur and IGNUS festival:

• Information on IGNUS http://www.ignus.org/
• Information on IIT Jodhpur http://www.iitj.ac.in/
• Twitter -https://twitter.com/Ignus_IITJ
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ignus.iitj

SAP Open doors day with INSEEC

This Tuesday, 38 students from the French Business School INSEEC were welcomed at SAP’s facilities in Paris for getting a beeper understanding of our company and technology.  The topics covered were:

• SAP basics -  introduction to the company
• SAP Technology - focus Finance Solutions

INSEEC is a French business school that has several campuses through the country, the biggest one in Paris. Students from the Master Specialized on Corporate Finance of the school got a big interest on SAP because of its powerful tools dedicated to all types of financial functions and purposes.

During a complete morning, students where walked through the discovery of SAP, firstly as a big actor in the IT industry and secondly as a powerful developer of innovative solutions such as SAP HANA.

By the end of the morning students were amazed with the amount of technologies that SAP has and the diversity of applications that our software has for all kinds of industries.

SAP conference @EPITA

Last Tuesday January 14th, SAP was present at EPITA, French Engineering School for its strong investment on giving its students thorough technical knowledge. This is why SAP could miss the chance to present our fascinating company and innovative technology.

In front of an auditorium of 250 students, Nicolas MASTIN ( SAP Product Manager for TIP Design & Frontline Apps and graduate student from EPITA), and Alexandra DARRAS (University Alliances Manager), dedicated 1.30 hours to captivate students with all SAP existing and innovative technologies as well as the possible career paths they could follow if they decide to make a career on SAP .

This conference was very enriching for EPITA students as they got to see SAP form a different point of view and they discovered that a career in SAP means not only hardcore programming, but many other interesting job possibilities such as support engineering, presales or even sales.

Forty students from Institute of Technology Bandung (Indonesia) visited SAP APJ HQ in Singapore to gain insights on SAP uses IT to support our business and toured the facility to observe IT professionals at work. This is part of the Informatics Educational Vacation program organized the university for students in the School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics.

Manik Saha, CIO, SAP APJ shared the latest emerging business trends and IT’s role in supporting the organization’s transformation and aligning it to its aggressive growth strategy. He took time to share his personal career experience with the aspiring students who would be graduating soon to join the workforce. Many of them were eager to apply for SAP Sales Academy.

SAP University Alliances APJ

The 18th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2014) will be held at Chengdu, China, after the successful series of PACIS since 1993. PACIS provides a forum for researchers and practitioners working on all aspects of Information Systems. The prime purpose of the PACIS is to enable regional and international Information Systems researchers and practitioners to meet in an annual forum that maximizes the opportunity for quality information exchange.

This year's conference is hosted by Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE). They are one of the premier universities in fields of information systems, finance and economics in China. It is directly under the Ministry of Education and also one of the top 100 universities in the nation's 211 Projects, a national initiative to build 100 first-class universities in the 21st century. Ranking top in Chinese in universities, SWUFE is also renowned as the China Finanial Talents Base.

The conference will be held at the stylish Crowne Plaza Chengdu City Center

For more information, kindly visit PACIS 2014, Chengdu

Train the Trainer Workshop @ EPSI Paris

French SAP University Alliance Members are gathering during these 3 days (20^th– 22^nd January) for taking the Train the Trainer workshop at the facilities of our partner university – EPSI.

The course focuses on how the fundamental business processes interact with SAP ERP in the functional areas of Financial Accounting ,Management Accounting, Sales Order Management, Material and Production Planning, Procurement, Inventory Management, Project Management,  Human Capital Management, etc.

After this Workshop professors will be able to :

• Fully explain SAP ERP its purpose and modules
• Describe the integration of SAP ERP core applications
• Perform basic processes and workflows on an SAP environment

This is the 1st of several TTT workshops that will take place during 2014. With the completion of this workshops SAP University Alliances expects to have more students touched by SAP technology and more importantly, certified on SAP technology during 2014.