I feel pleased to welcome Dr. Manikandan Sundaram as the Qlik Academic Program Educator Ambassador for 2025.
Manikandan is currently the Dean of the School of Computing and Head of the Data Science and Analytics Centre at Rathinam Technical Campus, Coimbatore, India.
Equipping the Next Generation of Analysts: Alexander Flaig on Teaching with Qlik
When Alexander Flaig set out to design his Business Analytics course in 2023, his goal was simple but ambitious: give students hands-on experience with tools they’d actually use in the real world. That’s why he made Qlik a cornerstone of the curriculum from day one.
Fast forward to today, and Qlik has become more than just a platform in the classroom—it’s a launchpad for careers.
From the Classroom to the Interview Room
The impact of integrating Qlik into coursework has been immediate and powerful. “Yes, some of my students have landed internships and jobs thanks to their Qlik knowledge,” Alexander shares. “One student was eveninterruptedduring a job interview because they knew more about Qlik than expected.”
These moments underscore what happens when education stays aligned with industry trends: students graduate with skills that employers are actively seeking.
Certifications, Real Projects, and Industry Collaboration
Alexander’s course doesn’t stop at theory. Students earn certifications like Qlik’s Business Analyst and Data Architect credentials, which help them stand out in a competitive job market. The capstone project involves building interactive dashboards using real-world company data—last year, students collaborated withDrake Analytics, creating professional-grade visualizations that speak volumes about their capabilities.
“Check out one of the dashboards from last year’s class—it’s a testament to how powerful learning becomes when it's rooted in real-world application.”
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
For Alexander, 2025 is all about continuing momentum. “My goal is to keep offering certifications and to integrate more AI-driven analytics into the course,” he says. With the rapid evolution of AI and data tools, this forward-thinking approach ensures students stay at the cutting edge.
The Future of Higher Ed: Adapt or Fall Behind
The course has grown from 20 to 80 students in just a year—a clear sign that demand for practical, industry-relevant education is surging. “Many students say it’s one of the best courses they’ve ever taken,” Flaig adds. “Higher education is in the middle of a transformation. Institutions must adapt to this new reality—or risk becoming obsolete.”
Beyond the Classroom
When he’s not teaching, Alexander can be found researching and speaking about AI strategies and emerging technologies. He brings that same future-focused energy to his classroom, ensuring students not only understand the tools of today but are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
On Being a Qlik Educator Ambassador
As an Educator Ambassador, Alexander hopes to deepen his understanding of the Qlik ecosystem and expand its footprint in education. “I want to gain deeper insights into the Qlik toolbox and use my role to spread awareness about the benefits of Qlik in academic settings,” he says.
With his passion for teaching, commitment to real-world learning, and drive to innovate, Alexander Flaig is not just teaching analytics—he’s redefining what business education can be.
To learn more about theQlik Academic Programand how to access free Qlik Sense software and training resources, visitqlik.com/academicprogram
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We're excited to welcome Juana Zuntini to the Qlik Educator Ambassador community for 2025. A passionate educator since 2017, Juana has been redefining how students connect with data, bringing it to life through interactive, hands-on learning powered by the Qlik Academic Program.
Her dedication to data literacy and innovation is helping shape a new generation of confident, curious, and career-ready students who understand that data isn’t just numbers; it’s the key to telling powerful stories and making real-world impact.
We’re proud to welcome back Marcin Stawarz as a Qlik Educator Ambassador for 2025! Building on the momentum of the past year, Marcin continues to be a passionate advocate for data literacy and innovation in education, helping to shape the next generation of data-driven professionals through the Qlik Academic Program.
My Journey with Qlik in Teaching
For the past two years, Katherine has been integrating Qlik into her teaching, particularly within the realms of public health informatics and healthcare analytics. This powerful tool has enabled students to transform complex datasets into meaningful insights that drive informed decision-making in healthcare.
The Inspiration Behind Using Qlik
As a nurse informaticist and educator, her goal has always been to bridge the gap between data analysis and patient-centered care. Qlik’s intuitive interface and robust analytics capabilities make it an ideal platform for teaching students how to visualize and interpret healthcare data effectively. By working with real-world datasets, students develop critical thinking skills essential for enhancing patient outcomes.
Integrating Qlik into the Classroom
Qlik has become an integral part of her courses through hands-on exercises that allow students to analyze healthcare trends, public health data, and social determinants of health. She encourages them to engage with Qlik’s training modules and certification programs, providing them with a competitive advantage in the job market. By working on real-world scenarios, students build dashboards that offer actionable insights for healthcare professionals.
Real-World Impact: Internships and Job Opportunities
Many of her students have successfully leveraged their Qlik experience to secure internships and jobs in healthcare analytics, informatics, and hospital systems. Employers value candidates who can translate raw data into impactful visualizations, and Qlik’s capabilities align seamlessly with industry demands.
Classroom Goals for 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, Katherine's aim is to expand students' exposure to AI-driven analytics, predictive modeling, and data storytelling. Additionally, she plans to strengthen partnerships with healthcare organizations to create more immersive learning experiences and projects that address real-world healthcare challenges.
Industry Trends and the Future of Analytics in Education
The healthcare industry is increasingly driven by data, with AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics playing pivotal roles in decision-making. The demand for real-time data sharing is also on the rise, necessitating strong analytical skills among professionals. In higher education, there is a growing emphasis on equipping students with applied analytics experience rather than just theoretical knowledge.
Life Beyond Teaching
Outside the classroom, she enjoys staying active through swimming, running, and yoga. She also cherishes spending time outdoors with my family and our two German Shorthaired Pointers. Residing in Texas, I remain passionate about integrating informatics into nursing practice and education.
Looking Forward as an Educator Ambassador
As an Educator Ambassador, she is eager to collaborate with fellow educators, explore innovative teaching strategies, and enhance student engagement with data analytics. She looks forward to contributing insights on leveraging Qlik within nursing and healthcare informatics while embracing new opportunities for professional growth.
"I am excited about the year ahead and grateful for the opportunity to share my journey!"
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I am pleased to introduce Qlik Academic Program Educator Ambassador for 2025, Chee-wai, Ho from Republic Polytechnic, Singapore.
Chee-wai has been actively involved in upskilling adult learners in data literacy for more than five years in Republic Polytechnic’s Specialist Diploma in Business Analytics (SDBA) in Singapore. According to Chee-wai, “Data literacy in practical translates into identifying and correcting data issues, follow by data visualization to make informed business decisions. This is also the foundation for fruitful predictive and prescriptive analytics.”
We’re proud to welcome back Angelika Klidas, a Qlik Educator Ambassador since 2021, who continues to make a tremendous impact on students and the wider data community in the Netherlands.
Daniel O’Leary continues to teach at the University of Southern California (USC), serving both the Marshall School of Business and the Leventhal School of Accounting. Additionally, he periodically teaches a course on information systems, data, and analytics in the International Executive Management in Finance and Controllership (IEMFC) program at UMIO, Maastricht University.
As a Professor of Business Intelligence at ITAM, Angel goes beyond teaching, he’s transforming how students think, analyze, and tell stories with data. By integrating AI and Data Literacy, he’s preparing future leaders for a data-driven world.
