SJSU Department of Applied Data Science

Last week, students from the SJSU Department of Applied Data Science had an incredible opportunity to connect industry, innovation, and community in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Members of the Applied Intelligent Systems Club and Women in Data Science (WiDS) Club attended the Northern California Oracle Users Group event, “Meet the Database Black Belt and Tour the Googleplex,” hosted at Google headquarters in Mountain View.

The day featured:

✨ A keynote on “How to Be an Expert”
☁️ Presentations on cloud technologies
🤖 Insights into AI innovation
🥐 Breakfast, lunch, and networking with industry professionals
🏢 A tour of the iconic Googleplex

Experiences like this bridge classroom learning with real-world practice — giving our students direct access to thought leaders, emerging technologies, and the professional communities shaping the future of data science.

We are proud of our student leaders and grateful for opportunities that expand their horizons, strengthen professional networks, and reinforce SJSU’s commitment to applied, industry-connected learning.

The SJSU College of Information, Data and Society (CIDS) is pleased to announce the 2026 Online Student Research Conference, a virtual event celebrating student scholarship and interdisciplinary research across the college.

The conference fosters collaboration, professional development, and meaningful dialogue among students, faculty, alumni, and the broader academic community.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Student research presentations
• Outstanding Student Presentation Awards

LIVE SESSIONS
• March 3, 12:00–1:00 pm – Opening Keynote by Dr. Sandra Hirsh
• March 5, 12:00–1:00 pm – Closing Panel on the life-changing impact of research

Learn more at https://blogs.sjsu.edu/cids/

Join us on March 6th for the 2026 CIDS Online Student Research Conference!

This March, the College of Information, Data and Society at San José State University will host its Annual CIDS Student Research Conference, a free virtual event showcasing student research from across the iSchool and the Department of Applied Data Science.

The conference features student presentations, a keynote by Dr. Sandra Hirsh on how AI innovation at SJSU is shaping the future, and a panel exploring the life-changing impact of student research. Together, these sessions highlight CIDS’s commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, student voices, and academic community.

🔗 Read more: https://blogs.sjsu.edu/information-data-society-news/2026/01/24/student-research-takes-center-stage-at-cids-annual-research-conference/

On January 20, 2026, the SJSU Department of Applied Data Science hosted NVIDIA’s Fundamentals of Deep Learning workshop, providing students with an engaging, hands-on learning experience.

👏 A big thank-you to Josephine (Min-Huey) for leading a full-day workshop that thoughtfully connected theory to practice. Students shared that the workshop arrived at exactly the right moment, reinforcing concepts they had just completed in their deep learning coursework and helping solidify their understanding through applied learning.

Participants also expressed strong interest in continuing with additional offerings in the Gen AI workshop series, highlighting a clear appetite for more advanced, hands-on experiences in this rapidly evolving space. Many emphasized the value of earning NVIDIA certificates, noting their importance for career readiness and job-search preparation as they approach graduation.
We’re excited by the enthusiasm and momentum and look forward to expanding these learning opportunities in the months ahead.

The SJSU College of IDS invites students to submit proposals for the 5th Annual Online Student Research Conference, taking place March 3–5, 2026.

This virtual conference connects students across the college, showcases innovative student research, and provides an opportunity to develop research and presentation skills in a collaborative learning environment.

WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?
Undergraduate, graduate, and Gateway PhD students in the School of Information and Department of Applied Data Science — including students graduating in December 2025.

📌 IMPORTANT DATES
• Abstract submission deadline: January 14, 2026 (11:59 pm PST)
• Acceptance notifications: January 23, 2026
• Video presentations due: February 6, 2026
• Conference dates: March 3–5, 2026

Have a class project, research paper, or internship experience to share? We encourage you to submit!

Learn more at: https://blogs.sjsu.edu/cids/

Check out the highlights from the SJSU College of Information, Data and Society's End of Year gathering that took place on Wednesday, Dec.10th.

On December 10, the SJSU College of IDS welcomed faculty, staff, and friends for our End of Year Gathering. From great conversations and laughter to festive moments like Ugly Sweater Bingo, it was a joyful opportunity to connect and celebrate all that we accomplished together this year.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and helped make the evening special. If you couldn’t join us this time, no worries—we look forward to seeing you at the next gathering!

📸 Enjoy a few highlights from the event below.

What an incredible evening of insights, inspiration, and collaboration at the recent AIS Internship Expo & Prep Panel! We brought together peers who’ve interned at industry giants like AWS, Mercedes-Benz, ReferU.AI, and General Motors to share their journeys, challenges, and wins.

Our amazing panelists kept it real, dishing out practical advice from landing strategies to resume hacks. Students walked away with actionable tips, including:

✔ Craft impact-driven resume bullets with metrics.
✔ Treat your internship search like an experiment; track what channels work for you.
✔ Start early with campus channels like Career fairs and Handshake.

The energy was high through candid Q&A and open networking, fueling motivation for the upcoming internship search season. It was truly inspiring to hear how these experiences bolster professional competencies and expand abilities in navigating today's information landscape.

Exciting things happening at SJSU! 👏
This thoughtful panel on AI & Higher Education—featuring President Teniente-Matson, Dr. Jetcheva, and Dr. Aliasgari—highlights how Spartan innovation is shaping the future of learning.

Looking forward to watching the full broadcast when it’s released in January! 🎓🤖

On Wednesday, November 5, NorCal Media hosted a broadcast taping at KRCB TV featuring an inspiring panel on “AI & Higher Education.”

Hosted by Ramona Giwargis—San José Spotlight co-founder, journalist, and proud SJSU alum—the discussion included:
✨ Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, San José State University
✨ Dr. Jorjeta Jetcheva, Chair of Computer Engineering
✨ Dr. Mehrdad Aliasgari, Dean of the College of Information, Data and Society

Together, they explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching, learning, and the future of higher education.

We will post the full recording when it becomes available in January.

Five of our talented MS in Applied Data Intelligence students — Nandana Chigaterappa HemanthKumar (‘25), Shagun Roperia (‘25), Ranga Reddy Nukala (‘26), Basanth Periyapatna Roopa Kumar (‘26), and Jay Narendrabhai Joshi (‘25) — recently represented SJSU at the AI & Cybersecurity Leadership Forum hosted by HC Consulting.

The event brought together leaders from academia and industry to explore the future of ethical AI, governance, and cybersecurity. As Basanth reflected, “Your work and everyday life are already shaped by AI systems — will you be passive users or active architects of how they serve society?”

👏 A huge shout-out to these students for engaging thoughtfully and leading conversations about responsible innovation.

Students from SJSU’s Applied Data Intelligence program recently participated in the AI & Cybersecurity Leadership Forum, hosted by HC Consulting. The event challenged future leaders to think deeply about responsible AI, ethical governance, and cybersecurity, while also fostering professional connections across academia and industry.

These students are already putting their learning into action: Nandana and Shagun have launched the Applied Intelligence Systems (AIS) Club at SJSU, creating a space for students to explore the evolving intersections of AI, security, and society.

🔗 Read their story: https://blogs.sjsu.edu/idsprofiles/2025/11/02/secure-ai-governance-with-the-applied-intelligence-systems-club/