Qlik Academic Program

Strong Analytics Skills Still Matter

Before students can really benefit from AI, they need a good understanding of data.

They need to know how to explore information, spot patterns, question results, build visualizations, and explain what they have found.

AI does not replace these skills. In many ways, it makes them even more important.

Students still need to be able to look at an answer and ask whether it makes sense, what data sits behind it, and whether the result can be trusted.

That kind of thinking is what gives them a solid base to build on.

Qualifications Help Students Show What They Know

It is one thing to learn a new skill. It is another to be able to demonstrate it.

Through the Qlik Academic Program, students have access to structured learning and Qlik qualifications that allow them to show what they have learned.

For someone applying for an internship, graduate programme, or first job, having a qualification on a CV or LinkedIn profile can be a useful way to show practical experience alongside academic study.

It also gives students something concrete to work towards.

Learning Is Moving Further Into AI

The learning journey is also expanding beyond traditional analytics.

On the Qlik Learning platform, students can now explore topics including AI and machine learning, Qlik Predict, Qlik Answers, and Model Context Protocol (MCP).

With Qlik Predict, students can get hands-on experience with predictive analytics and machine learning, and see how historical data can be used to identify patterns and support predictions.

Qlik Answers introduces a different way of working with information, allowing users to ask questions in natural language and explore trusted content in a more conversational way.

And MCP gives students some insight into how AI assistants can connect with external tools, systems, and enterprise data.

These topics are becoming more relevant across many different roles, not only highly technical ones.

Not Every Student Needs to Become an AI Expert

A business student, marketer, finance student, engineer, or future analyst will not use AI in exactly the same way.

And that is fine.

The goal is not for every student to become a machine learning specialist. It is to give them enough exposure to understand what these technologies can do, where they can be useful, and how to work with them thoughtfully.

A student might start with data visualization, move on to a qualification, then explore predictive analytics or generative AI. That progression can happen step by step.

Preparing Students for What Comes Next

One of the most useful things we can help students develop is the confidence to keep learning.

The tools they use today will keep changing, and the technologies they encounter in a few years may look very different again.

Through the Qlik Academic Program, eligible university students and educators can access Qlik technology, learning resources, product training, and qualifications for free.

The aim is not only to help students learn analytics. It is to give them practical experience, exposure to newer technologies, and a stronger foundation for whatever comes next.

Ready to explore analytics and AI learning with Qlik?

Learn more and apply for free at qlik.com/academicprogram.

On 13 August 2026, Kristu Jayanti University successfully hosted the third edition of the Qlik Datathon 2026, themed "Think Like a Manager." This flagship analytics competition brought together aspiring data professionals, encouraging them to apply analytics, artificial intelligence, and business thinking to solve real-world challenges.

This year's event marked a significant milestone as the first-ever inter-university Qlik Datathon, creating a larger platform for collaboration, innovation, and healthy competition among students from leading institutions.

An Event of Scale and Impact

The Datathon witnessed remarkable participation, with:

• 70 registered teams
• 274 student participants
• Teams comprising four members each
• Representation from multiple campuses and institutions specializing in Data Science, Analytics, AI, and Machine Learning

Participating institutions included:

• Kristu Jayanti University
• Christ University ( two campuses)

Learning Before Competing

The event commenced with a dedicated bootcamp designed to prepare students for the challenge ahead. The bootcamp was conducted by Qlik Educator Ambassador, Manikant Roy, Ph.D. Candidate from IIT Delhi, who provided valuable guidance and insights to help participants approach complex business problems through a data-driven lens.

The Datathon itself challenged students to move beyond technical analysis and truly" Think Like a Manager" by interpreting data, identifying business opportunities, and presenting actionable recommendations. This approach reflects the skills increasingly demanded by organizations seeking analytical professionals who can bridge the gap between data and decision-making.

Industry Collaboration at the Core

One of the highlights of the event was the strong collaboration between academia and industry. The final evaluation round was conducted by Qlik and its partner Gain Insight Solutions, ensuring that participating teams were assessed against real-world industry expectations and business standards.

Inaugural ceremony

The event was further enriched by the presence of Qlik Luminary Vivek Shah from Goldman Sachs, who served as the Chief Guest. His insights into analytics, technology, and industry applications provided students with valuable perspectives on how data-driven decision-making is transforming modern enterprises.

Vivek Shah, Qlik Luminary, from Goldman Sachs

Building the Next Generation of Data Leaders

The success of Qlik Datathon 2026 demonstrates the growing enthusiasm among students for analytics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven problem solving. More importantly, it highlights the importance of developing future professionals who can combine technical expertise with strategic business thinking.

As universities continue to embrace experiential learning opportunities, initiatives such as the Qlik Datathon play a vital role in preparing students for careers in analytics and AI, while fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

We congratulate all participating students, faculty members, judges, and organizers for making the first inter-university Qlik Datathon a resounding success and look forward to even greater impact in the years ahead.

Participating students 

Winning teams along with Qlik Partner, Gain Insights team members 

Universities play a critical role in developing these capabilities, but they should not have to do it alone. Meaningful collaboration between academia and industry can help educators connect curricula with workplace needs while giving students practical experience before they begin their careers.

This is the purpose of the Qlik Academic Program.

The program provides qualified university educators and students with free access to Qlik technology and learning resources. Members can develop experience with Qlik Cloud Analytics, Qlik Predict, Qlik Answers and Qlik Talend Cloud, exploring the complete data journey—from integrating and preparing trusted data to visualization, predictive analytics and AI-powered answers. They can also access self-paced learning pathways, ready-to-use teaching materials and Qlik product qualifications that help them demonstrate their knowledge.

Access, however, is only the starting point. The greatest impact happens when these resources become part of meaningful, hands-on learning.

Across EMEA, we have seen the results of this approach. At the University of Worcester, a two-day bootcamp gave students the opportunity to build practical analytics skills with support from Qlik experts. Every participating student passed the Qlik Business Analyst Qualification. At AGH University of Science and Technology in Poland, an advanced workshop introduced master’s students to predictive analytics, AI and practical business applications. Further collaborations across Germany, Portugal, Spain and other markets are helping educators bring current industry technology and real-world problem-solving into their classrooms.

Our Educator Ambassador community strengthens this work further. These educators champion data literacy within their institutions, exchange effective teaching practices and help us understand how academic needs are evolving. Their experience ensures that the program remains grounded not only in technology, but also in the realities of teaching and learning.

None of this happens through software alone. Educators contribute subject expertise and an understanding of their students. Qlik colleagues and volunteers share technical knowledge and industry experience. Students contribute curiosity, creativity and new perspectives. Together, they create learning environments in which data becomes something students actively explore rather than simply study.

For Qlik, this makes the Academic Program much more than a free technology initiative. It is a long-term investment in the global data and AI ecosystem. Students who graduate with practical experience, stronger data literacy and Qlik qualifications enter the workforce better prepared to create value with data. They may become future analysts, consultants, customers, partners, educators or innovators—and their capabilities will benefit the organizations and communities they join.

Preparing tomorrow’s workforce is a shared responsibility. By connecting accessible technology, relevant learning resources, committed educators and industry expertise, we can help students move confidently from classroom knowledge to career-ready capability.

The Qlik Academic Program is proud to support that journey.

Are you a university educator or student? Discover the Qlik Academic Program and start your journey today!

Every year, thousands of students ask the same question: is data analytics still a good career bet? The 2026 numbers say yes. In Data Analyst Job Outlook 2026, 365 Data Science analyzed over 1,000 real job postings to map what employers actually want from data analysts today. The report adds a wider signal, citing a US Bureau of Labor Statistics projection of 23% job growth by 2032.

The research highlights four trends shaping the data analyst career in 2026:

• Specialists are winning. Nearly 70% of job postings focus on a core set of skills such as SQL, statistics, and visualization rather than long lists of requirements. The takeaway from the research: master the core analytics toolkit deeply before expanding into adjacent areas.
• Data visualization is the most in-demand skill. It appears in more postings than any other analysis skill, and dashboards remain the bridge between raw data and business decisions. Employers want analysts who can turn complex datasets into stories stakeholders understand.
• AI is transforming the role, not replacing it. Machine learning mentions in job postings doubled year over year, and the report cites that 70% of analysts say AI automation makes their work more effective. The analysts who thrive are the ones who understand how AI-driven insights are produced and how to question them.
• Communication is a technical skill now. Stakeholder communication appears in nearly 60% of postings, ahead of most hard skills. Analysis that no one understands is analysis that changes nothing.

Across all four, one theme repeats: the market rewards professionals who combine hands-on analytics skills with the ability to explain, question, and communicate data. That is data literacy, and it's exactly what the Qlik Academic Program helps universities build.

The program gives students free access to the full Qlik stack, from data integration and Qlik Cloud Analytics to Qlik Answers and agents, alongside courses, qualifications, and certifications. Students don't just read about visualization and AI-assisted analytics; they build dashboards, integrate real data, and learn how AI-driven decisions are made. Those are precisely the skills leading the 2026 hiring data.

Professors are supported too, with training and ready-to-use teaching resources that make it easier to bring analytics into the classroom, so curricula keep pace with a job market that is evolving faster than any syllabus revision cycle.

The report's conclusion is encouraging: the field isn't oversaturated for those with the right combination of skills. For students, the best time to start building that combination is before graduation, with real tools, real data, and credentials employers recognize.

By giving students, professors, and universities free access to analytics software, learning content, and certifications, the Qlik Academic Program helps learners graduate ready for a career field that the data shows is still growing.

Join our global community for free: Qlik Academic Program: Creating a Data-Literate World

This shift presents an exciting opportunity for higher education. Universities are uniquely positioned to equip students with the skills they'll need in an AI-driven world, but doing so requires more than traditional lectures and textbooks. Students learn best when they can apply their knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios.

Hands-on analytics experiences allow students to explore real datasets, identify trends, answer business questions, and communicate their findings with confidence. Instead of simply learning about data analytics, they experience what it's like to solve problems using the same types of tools and approaches they'll encounter in the workplace.

The benefits extend well beyond technical skills. By working on practical projects, students strengthen their critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving abilities—skills that remain essential regardless of how technology continues to evolve. These experiences also help students build confidence, making the transition from university to the workplace much smoother.

Across EMEA, we're seeing more educators embrace this approach by incorporating analytics into their teaching in innovative ways. Whether through classroom projects, workshops, guest lectures, or interactive learning activities, educators are helping students connect academic knowledge with real business challenges. It's inspiring to see students become more engaged as they discover how data and AI can be used to answer meaningful questions and support informed decision-making.

As AI continues to reshape industries, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: data literacy is no longer a niche skill. It's a core capability that will benefit students across disciplines, from business and finance to healthcare, engineering, and the social sciences. By giving students opportunities to learn through experience, universities are helping prepare graduates who are ready to thrive in a data-driven future.

The Qlik Academic Program is proud to support both educators and university students by providing free access to Qlik's analytics and AI technologies, curriculum resources, self-paced learning, and industry-recognized qualifications. Whether you're an educator looking to enrich your courses with hands-on analytics or a student eager to build in-demand data and AI skills, the program offers valuable resources to help you succeed. Learn more about the Qlik Academic Program and sign up here: https://qlik.com/academicprogram 

Technology has moved from the edge of education to its core. As Nilesh Patel, Global Solution Head for Education at TCS, argues in Higher education in 2026: Emerging tech trends, the real shift isn't just adopting new tools, it's building digital architecture that learns and scales with learners. The article also points to a wider signal: a TCS study found that 61% of universities lag in digital maturity, putting higher education at a digital crossroads.

The piece highlights four trends shaping higher education in 2026:

• Lifelong learning and employability. Learners now see education as a career-long continuum, focused on outcomes and employability. AI-powered adaptive systems support this by adjusting course difficulty, content, and feedback to each learner's path.
• Stackable microcredentials and flexible pathways. Education is shifting toward skill-oriented credentials that reflect what learners can do, letting them customize pace and focus while aligning with industry needs.
• Collaboration between universities, EdTech, and industry. Skill gaps and fast-moving technology make partnerships essential, institutions provide academic rigor, EdTech offers scale, and industry ensures relevance.
• Experience and engagement. AI and GenAI, immersive XR, learning analytics, and stronger cybersecurity and data governance are redefining how students learn and how institutions protect trust.

Across all four, one theme repeats: the future of higher education depends on blending technology with trust,responsible AI adoption, ethical oversight, and transparency.

This is exactly where the Qlik Academic Program supports academic communities. The program offers Qlik solutions end to end, from data integration and Qlik Cloud Analytics to Qlik Answers and agents alongside certifications, qualifications, and courses. By putting data literacy at the center of learning, students develop the ability to read, question, and explain data while working hands-on with the full analytics stack: integrating data, building insights, and understanding how AI-driven decisions are made.

Professors are supported with training and teaching resources that make it easier to embed analytics and modern data topics across disciplines, helping institutions move from static curricula toward the responsive, data-driven ecosystems the TCS article describes.

As Patel puts it, the future belongs to those who build with foresight, stay transparent, and treat technology as a partner in progress, not a replacement for purpose. Preparing students to work confidently with data, alongside AI, is central to that.

By giving students, professors, and universities free access to analytics software, learning content, and certifications, the Qlik Academic Program helps education stay aligned with the trends shaping 2026 and prepares learners for the jobs of tomorrow.

Join our global community for free: Qlik Academic Program: Creating a Data-Literate World

Qlik, the leaders in user-driven business intelligence, has developed the industry’s only end-to-end data platform combining data sourcing, data preparation, and data analysis tools in one robust toolset.

With support for real-time data integration, modern data management, smart data cataloging, and AI-fueled analytics, Qlik helps you bring distributed, diverse data together fast and makes it available to users in a governed environment to transform all your data into real value.

Qlik’s Data Integration layer helps you turn your raw data into analytics-ready information assets by enabling you to:

• Move data at scale in real-time through streaming data pipelines with change data capture

• Automate the design, deployment, and management of data warehouses and data lakes

• Make trusted data easily accessible to users via a secure, enterprise data catalog

Qlik’s Data Analytics layer allows you to turn your data into valuable insights by empowering users with intuitive, AI-powered tools that let them explore your data without boundaries.

Source: qlik.com 

Once students and professors sign up for the Qlik Academic Program, they receive training, qualifications and certifications on aspects of data including data integration, analytics, predictive analytics etc. Its a lot of value for the academic community and the best part? Its all free.

So if you are a student or professor looking to propel your career, you should check out this program and discover all the benefits of the industry's only end-to-end data platform. 

Preparing Students for the Qlik Business Analyst Qualification at the University of Worcester

At the University of Worcester, students recently participated in a two-day Qlik Business Analyst Qualification Bootcamp designed to help them build confidence with analytics concepts while preparing for the Qlik Business Analyst Qualification.

The bootcamp was led by Qlik Luminary Nick Seagrave, who generously volunteered his time and expertise to support the students throughout the event. The initiative was also supported by Peter Clews, Lecturer in Web Applications at the University of Worcester, and made possible through the collaboration of Richard Wilkinson, Head of Computing, whose support helped bring the idea from concept to reality.

Throughout the two-day session, students worked through key business analytics concepts, explored data visualization best practices, and gained hands-on experience building dashboards and analyzing data with Qlik.

The highlight came on the second day, when all students who attended the bootcamp successfully passed the Qlik Business Analyst Qualification and earned their qualification badges.

Beyond earning a qualification, the students gained practical analytics skills that can help strengthen their employability and demonstrate their capabilities to future employers. As organizations continue to invest in data-driven decision-making, experience with analytics tools and recognized industry qualifications can provide students with a valuable advantage as they enter the job market.

The bootcamp also highlighted the value of collaboration between academia and industry. By combining the expertise of university educators with support from Qlik professionals and community members, students were able to gain both academic and practical perspectives on modern analytics.

Exploring Advanced Predictive Analytics and AI at AGH University of Krakow

While the Worcester bootcamp focused on business analytics foundations and qualifications, a recent session in Poland took students into some of the more advanced areas of modern analytics and artificial intelligence.

Working with AGH University of Krakow, the Qlik Academic Program delivered an advanced hands-on workshop for master's students interested in predictive analytics and AI.

The session was led by Piter Harb, Senior Technical Trainer at Qlik, and organized in collaboration with Janusz Opiła and his colleagues at AGH University of Krakow. Janusz teaches a variety of courses in business informatics, advanced analytics, and AI, including master's-level modules, and is passionate about connecting students with practical technologies and real-world applications.

During the workshop, students explored advanced analytics concepts through practical exercises and demonstrations using Qlik's latest capabilities. Topics included predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, advanced data visualization techniques, and Model Context Protocol (MCP), providing students with exposure to technologies that are increasingly shaping the future of analytics.

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the session emphasized practical application, allowing students to see how AI-driven analytics can be used to generate insights, support decision-making, and solve complex business challenges.

The feedback from both students and educators was extremely positive, highlighting the value of providing direct access to industry professionals and cutting-edge analytics technologies as part of the learning experience. The university has already expressed interest in exploring additional collaboration opportunities, demonstrating the growing importance of advanced analytics and AI skills within higher education.

Supporting Students Across the Analytics Journey

Although these two sessions focused on very different topics, they shared a common objective: helping students build skills that are relevant in today's increasingly data-driven world.

Whether supporting students preparing for an industry qualification or introducing master's students to advanced predictive analytics and AI concepts, the Qlik Academic Program remains committed to helping educators provide engaging, practical learning experiences that connect academic knowledge with real-world application.

A special thank you to Nick Seagrave, Richard Wilkinson, Peter Clews, Piter Harb, Janusz Opiła, and everyone involved in making these sessions possible.

We look forward to continuing to support educators and students across EMEA through workshops, guest lectures, qualifications, and hands-on learning opportunities throughout the year.

Interested in bringing Qlik into your classroom?

The Qlik Academic Program provides free access to Qlik Cloud Analytics, Qlik Talend Cloud, AI and Machines Learning Capabilities, learning resources, qualifications, workshops, and educator support for accredited universities worldwide.

Learn more and join the program today: qlik.com/academicprogram

• Exploring analytics platforms
• Learning data visualization techniques
• Understanding AI concepts
• Working on hands-on projects
• Experimenting with real-world datasets

• Develop technical and analytical thinking
• Practice solving real-world problems
• Build dashboards
• Gain experience with cloud-based analytics tools
• Learn modern AI-driven workflows

• Resumes
• LinkedIn profiles
• Portfolios
• Internship applications
• Graduate school applications

This year, in April, we inaugurated two new Centers of Excellence ( CoE) under the Qlik Academic Program, in the Silicon Valley of India, i.e Bangalore. The new CoEs mark a new beginning for training and skilling students in Qlik technologies along with other activities like datathons.

Reva University is one of the leading Universities in the State of Karnataka and is ranked among the top universities in the region. The School of Computer Science and Engineering took the lead in this initiative and has established the CoE. Strategic Partner of the Qlik Academic Program, ICT Academy established the connection with Reva and ensured that arrangements were made as per the requirements of the CoE. 

The second CoE was established in Sai Vidya Institute of Technology ( SVIT) which is a well known institution for engineering students. Many students have earned their degree qualification from here. The Department of Computer Science Engineering have been coordinating to establish the CoE. Many initiatives are planned by SVIT to take this engagement ahead. 

The previous CoEs are functioning successfully in VJIT Hyderabad, Anurag University Hyderabad and Kristu Jayanti University Bangalore. Many students have got trained and qualified from the CoEs here. Along with this, they have hosted various events including datathons successfully. 

We hope to establish more CoEs this year and create a physical space for students to get trained under the Qlik Academic Program.

To learn more about the academic program, please visit: qlik.com/academicprogram 

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, universities are increasingly exploring how to prepare students for this shift. Modern analytics is no longer only about looking at what happened in the past. It is about identifying patterns, predicting outcomes, automating processes, and helping people make faster and more informed decisions.

One major change is the growing use of conversational analytics. Instead of manually navigating dashboards and filtering reports, users can increasingly ask questions in natural language and receive contextual insights based on trusted data. This makes analytics more accessible to a wider range of users and helps students engage with data in a more intuitive and interactive way.

Another important development is predictive analytics. Rather than only analyzing historical information, students can now learn how to forecast trends, identify anomalies, and anticipate future outcomes using AI-supported tools and techniques. These skills are becoming increasingly valuable across industries such as finance, healthcare, marketing, operations, manufacturing, and supply chain management.

At the same time, the rise of AI is also highlighting the importance of trusted and governed data. AI systems are only as effective as the quality and context of the data behind them. As Qlik highlights in its recent Agentic AI presentation, successful AI depends not only on AI capability itself, but also on trusted data, analytical context, and governance.

This shift creates a valuable opportunity for educators to modernize analytics education and expose students to the technologies and workflows increasingly used in industry. Instead of treating analytics as a static reporting exercise, universities can introduce students to conversational analytics, predictive thinking, AI-assisted insights, and intelligent decision-making.

Through the Qlik Academic Program, accredited university educators and students receive free access to Qlik Sense Cloud, including the full capabilities of a Qlik Sense tenant. This allows students to gain hands-on experience with interactive dashboards, data exploration, AI-powered analytics features, automation, and predictive analytics tools in a real-world environment.

The program also provides free access to Qlik Learning, where educators and students can follow structured learning pathways and complete product qualifications to strengthen their analytics and data literacy skills. In addition, educators receive ready-to-use teaching resources including lesson plans, presentations, exercises, and classroom materials that can help integrate analytics into existing courses more easily.

Importantly, these resources are designed not only for technical programs, but also for business, marketing, operations, finance, and other non-technical disciplines where data literacy is becoming increasingly essential.

As AI continues to reshape the workplace, helping students understand how to work with data, analytics, and AI together will become more important than ever. Universities now have an opportunity to move beyond teaching dashboard creation alone and instead prepare students to become confident, curious, and data-driven decision makers in an increasingly AI-powered world.

If you are interested in learning more about the Qlik Academic Program, feel free to contact us at academicprogram@qlik.com. More information about the program, including how to apply, can be found at qlik.com/academicprogram.

I feel pleased to introduce Manikant Roy, Assistant Professor, Business Analytics at the Jaipuria Institute of Management in Noida, India.

Manikant’s journey with Qlik began long before he entered the academia world. It was at the start of his professional career in 2012 as a Business Intelligence Consultant that he worked extensively as a developer using QlikView. This early exposure to analytics and data visualization helped him understand the importance of data-driven decision-making in organizations.

In 2016, he became associated with the Qlik Academic Program through interactions with Qlik Academic Program Manager, Pankaj Muthe. That connection encouraged him to bring Qlik technologies into the academic environment, and since then he has actively advocated the use of analytics and data literacy in higher education.

Over the years, Manikant has incorporated both QlikView and Qlik Sense into his teaching. He developed semester-long courses for MBA, MSc, and BTech students covering areas such as Business Analytics, Data Visualization, and Business Intelligence. His teaching approach follows a progressive learning path where students begin with Qlik Data Literacy concepts, then move into Qlik Data Analytics fundamentals, and finally applied these concepts using Qlik Sense for business analysis and dashboard development.

Through this hands-on approach, students learn how to visualize data effectively, communicate insights, and make data-informed decisions. They use Qlik tools to develop dashboards, analyze real-world datasets, and complete academic projects and master’s dissertations. To date, he has trained more than 400 students in analytics and data visualization using Qlik technologies.

The impact of this learning has been very encouraging. Many students have secured internships and full-time roles in analytics and technology domains after learning these skills. Several alumni have progressed into senior technical positions in the industry, including technical leadership roles. One example is Anurag Chaudhary, a former student who is now working as a Tech Lead in a leading organisation. Such success stories highlight the importance of strong analytics education and practical exposure to modern BI tools.

Beyond the classroom, Manikant has actively conducted workshops, faculty development programs, and mentoring sessions across various colleges and universities in India. He regularly speaks about Business Intelligence and analytics using Qlik technologies at student events, hackathons, and academic forums. These engagements help students and educators understand how analytics tools can be applied to solve real-world business challenges.

At Jaipuria Institute of Management, Qlik technologies are integrated into the Business Analytics curriculum as an essential component of classroom learning. He encourages students to pursue certifications offered through the Qlik Academic Program, and more than 30 students from the institute have already completed certifications in Data Literacy and Data Analytics.

Looking ahead to 2026, Manikant’s goal is to further strengthen students’ ability to work with data and apply analytics concepts to real-world scenarios. The world today is more dynamic than ever before, and continuous learning is the key to staying relevant. By engaging students in practical analytics projects, real datasets, and professional certifications, his aim is to help them build the confidence and skills required to thrive in the data-driven economy.

From his perspective, being data-driven—both personally and professionally—is no longer a luxury but a necessity. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and analytics technologies, organizations are increasingly relying on data to guide decisions. Manikant further adds, “Students must learn how to read, interpret, and communicate insights from data. Developing the ability to “read, write, and argue with data” is an essential skill for the next generation of professionals”

On a personal note, Manikant lives in Noida in the Delhi NCR region of India. He often says that he is a teacher by choice, not by chance. Over the years, he has mentored students from diverse backgrounds, helping them develop skills and prepare for careers in analytics and technology. Manikant strongly believes that education is one of the most meaningful ways to uplift individuals and contribute to society.

In addition to his academic work, he has been involved in mentoring initiatives for young learners. Manikant has been recognized as a “Gems of Mentor India” by the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog for mentoring school students and encouraging them to develop digital and innovation skills aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Outside the classroom, he enjoys gardening and reading classical literature. Manikant is particularly interested in philosophical reflections about life and society. Whenever possible, he enjoys taking long drives with school friends on weekends, which gives him time to reflect and reconnect.

Manikant says, “I feel truly honored to be recognized as a Qlik Educator Ambassador after many years of advocating analytics education. Through this role, I look forward to connecting with educators across the world, learning from global best practices, and contributing to the promotion of data literacy. Empowering people with the ability to understand and use data is one of the most important educational missions of our time”

We welcome Manikant to the Educator Ambassador Class of 2026 and wish him all the best.

To know more about Educator Ambassadors, you could visit: https://www.qlik.com/us/company/academic-program/ambassadors

To learn more about the Qlik Academic Program, you could visit: qlik.com/academicprogram

Walk Into His Classroom

Students walk in thinking business intelligence isn't for them. It belongs to the data scientists and tech specialists.

Then something shifts.

They start exploring data on their own. Asking real questions. Finding insights that matter. That moment when someone realizes they can actually think analytically, changes everything.

Gabriel teaches Business Intelligence, Data Mining, Analytics, Operations, and Negotiation at Universidad Mariano Gálvez and Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, always connecting theory to real challenges in business and management. At San Carlos, he recently expanded into teaching People Analytics in their HR master's program, a role that's grown his reach considerably.

But Gabriel doesn't teach software. He teaches confidence.

"I increasingly teach analytics not only as a technical subject, but as a decision-making capability that any professional can develop," he says.

His classes are hands-on. Students work with real scenarios: HR datasets for hiring decisions, performance metrics for strategy, problems they'll actually face at work. They compare Qlik, Tableau, Power BI, and Excel, not to memorize features, but to understand what each does best.

Qlik holds a special place in his teaching. "It's so easy to work with that students use it for their own first findings in data." The accessibility matters. No technical walls. No endless setup. Students get to the insight fast, and that's when confidence builds. For the working professionals in his classes? Qlik becomes real competitive advantage in their current roles.

The Lesson He Learned Twice

Gabriel carries one hard-earned piece of wisdom he shares with every student:

When you first use Qlik at your job, don't use it for your most important decision.

Here's why: People get distracted by the shiny new tool. They notice the interface, the visualizations, the novelty. They're not thinking about what the data actually means. That divided attention weakens your credibility.

Gabriel learned this the hard way, twice. Early in his career, he presented Qlik findings for critical decisions, and people got caught up watching the tool instead of listening to the analysis. 

So now he tells students: use Qlik first for lower-stakes presentations. Build familiarity. Once people trust it, then bring it to your most important decisions. By then, they'll see past the software and actually hear what your data is saying.

What's Coming in 2026

Gabriel is launching a professional development program for alumni. Not a one-time graduation experience, but a real pathway for people to come back and keep learning.

He's starting with Data Literacy and using Qlik as the entry point. "I chose Qlik for the introduction in the first stage of the program specially because it is an excellent choice for Data Literacy." Qlik's simplicity makes it the perfect gateway for professionals returning to sharpen their skills. No barriers. No intimidation. Just clarity.

His vision for 2026 extends beyond that too. He's weaving generative AI into his teaching, so students understand how emerging tech enhances analytical thinking. He's building learning experiences that stay hands-on, tied to real challenges, focused on actually turning insights into action.

"I have continued growing as both an educator and a consultant, especially through projects related to training systems, curriculum design, and capacity-building for institutions." For Gabriel, this work is personal.

Why He Became an Ambassador

Gabriel's decision to join the program is natural.

"I genuinely believe tools like Qlik can change the way people learn, think, and make decisions. As a professor, I have always wanted my students to go beyond memorizing concepts and actually experience what it means to explore data, discover patterns, and generate insight."

He also sees something bigger in the role: a chance to represent educators across Latin America. To show that analytics education isn't just a North American story. It's transforming classrooms in Guatemala and far beyond.

Welcome, Gabriel

What makes Gabriel's story worth celebrating isn't credentials or course counts. It's that he redesigned his life around what matters, and he's using that clarity to open doors for others—students discovering analytics for the first time, alumni reconnecting with the field, and a region filled with educators like him who are transforming how Latin America thinks about analytics and data.

Because this is the story of Latin America's analytics future. It's happening in classrooms in Guatemala. It's happening with educators like Gabriel who refuse to accept that world-class analytics education happens somewhere else.

Gabriel isn't slowing down. He's expanding.

The real work is just beginning.

Are you an educator inspired by Gabriel's story? Join the Qlik Academic Program and access free Qlik Sense software, training, and a global community of educators. Visit: Qlik Academic Program Ambassadors

The impact of this approach is already clear.

“Since our last conversation, another student landed a role in data governance after engaging with the data literacy content in the Academic Program”, Alexander shares. “They found the Qlik learning experience fascinating — and it directly influenced their career direction”.

It’s a simple but powerful example of how exposure to real tools and real concepts can open doors — especially in emerging areas like data governance.

While Qlik remains a core part of the curriculum, Alexander is now taking things a step further.

He’s redesigning his course from the ground up — with AI at the centre.

“I’ve already started integrating more AI into the course, and the next iteration will be a full redesign”, he explains. “It’s something I want to refine through experience, but I believe it will fundamentally change how students learn analytics”.

His goal is clear: to develop business analysts who can work with AI — while still understanding the logic behind the tools they use.

He also brings an honest perspective on the challenges facing higher education today.

“There was already a growing gap between what universities teach and what the job market needs. Now, with AI, we’re seeing something even bigger — knowledge itself is becoming more accessible, and some entry-level roles are starting to disappear”.

Rather than seeing this as a threat, Alexander sees it as a necessary shift.

He compares it to aviation:

“Modern planes rely heavily on autopilot, but pilots still need to know how to fly. In the same way, students need to understand analytics tools — even if AI handles part of the process”.

That balance — between automation and understanding — is becoming central to how he teaches.

New focus: Agentic analytics and what comes next

Looking ahead, Alexander expects analytics to evolve alongside wider changes in the economy.

“With the rise of agentic systems, we’ll likely see new types of KPIs focused on automated or agent-driven processes. This will also lead to the emergence of ‘agent analytics’ as a field”.

By introducing these ideas early, he’s not just teaching students how to use today’s tools — he’s preparing them for what’s coming next.

Alongside his teaching, Alexander has also taken on a new role within the university as an AI Ambassador.

Here, he acts as a central point of expertise, supporting how AI is introduced and managed across programmes.

“One of my key priorities is helping ensure programmes become ‘AI-proof’ — either by integrating AI effectively or by designing ways to manage its use in academic settings”.

After a strong experience last year, returning to the Qlik Educator Ambassador programme was a natural next step. Through this role, Alexander continues to expand awareness of Qlik in academia while deepening his own expertise.

With a clear focus on AI, a commitment to practical learning, and a forward-looking approach to education, Alexander represents a new generation of educators — those who are not just adapting to change, but actively shaping it.

To learn more about the Qlik Academic Program and access free Qlik Sense software and training resources, visit qlik.com/academicprogram

Within the Master’s Program in Information Systems, Blerim`s students enrolled in the mandatory Business Intelligence course explore the foundations of data-driven decision-making. The course introduces a broad spectrum of business intelligence concepts, including technologies, applications, and processes that allow organizations to gather, store, access, and analyze data effectively. A strong emphasis is placed on practical applications, enabling students to work with real-world datasets and develop analytics applications that support decision-making and generate actionable insights. For example, by integrating data from sources such as Inside Airbnb, students build interactive apps that uncover patterns, explore trends, and provide meaningful recommendations based on data.

Hands-on learning is central to Blerim’s teaching philosophy. Rather than relying solely on theoretical explanations, his courses encourage students to work directly with data, perform data exploration, design analytical workflows, and develop solutions to real-world challenges. This approach allows students to strengthen both their analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities while gaining experience with tools commonly used in industry.

Blerim mentions that students also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized qualifications that complement their academic studies. Through partnerships with analytics platforms such as Qlik and KNIME, his students can gain valuable credentials that enhance their professional profiles.

Blerim also emphasizes the importance of connecting academic learning with industry practice. His courses regularly incorporate real business cases and insights from practitioners to ensure students gain exposure to real-world analytics challenges. He points out that guest lectures and workshops play an important role in this process. Recently, Stavros Orfanoudakis from Qlik delivered a workshop in the Business Intelligence course, sharing insights on the evolution of modern data platforms—from traditional data warehouses to open Lakehouse architecture. The session explored current challenges in data integration and demonstrated how organizations manage data on a scale.

“The lecture sparked strong engagement from students, many of whom continued the discussion even after the session ended, highlighting their interest in modern analytics architectures and industry practices.” Blerim says.

Beyond the classroom, Blerim is also actively involved in the global Qlik community. In 2025, he attended the Qlik Luminary Meetup 2025 in Lund where members of the Qlik ecosystem such as MVPs, Educator Ambassadors and Luminaries gathered to exchange ideas and discuss the latest developments in analytics. During the event, Blerim contributed as a subject matter expert in one of the workshops, collaborating with fellow educators, partners, and analytics professionals.

Through his continued involvement in the Qlik Academic Program, Blerim remains committed to preparing students for a future where data literacy, analytics, and artificial intelligence play an increasingly central role in decision-making. By combining academic foundations with hands-on analytics projects, industry collaboration, and qualifications he continues to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in the evolving data-driven economy.

We are proud to have Blerim Emruli as a longstanding member of the Qlik Educator Ambassador community and look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work at Lund University and beyond.

📢 Educators and students can access free Qlik software, training resources, and qualifications by joining the Qlik Academic Program: qlik.com/academicprogram