Vijay Thiruvengadam

Executive Director of Business Intelligence
Rice University

Vijay Thiruvengadam is a global leader in data-driven innovation and is currently the Executive Director of Business Intelligence at Rice University, one of the United States' premier institutions. Vijay orchestrates the university's strategic transition to data-driven excellence in this critical role, partnering with the Chief Data Officer to design and implement advanced data governance frameworks. His leadership ensures that Rice University’s data infrastructure meets the highest accuracy, reliability, and compliance with global regulatory, legal, and ethical norms.

Since stepping into this role in May 2024, Vijay has enhanced the university’s analytics, visualisation, and reporting capabilities. His initiatives have empowered informed decision-making across all levels of the institution. Vijay also champions data literacy, fostering a culture where leaders and stakeholders can harness data responsibly and precisely.

Before joining Rice University, Vijay served as Chief Data Officer at Oregon State University, where he developed and executed a groundbreaking data management strategy aligned with the university's strategic goals. The creation of robust data governance policies, the seamless integration of diverse data systems, and the promotion of a data-driven culture across academic and administrative spheres distinguished his tenure.

Earlier in his career, Vijay was the Executive Director of Information and Technology Services at the University of Michigan. In this role, he led transformative digital strategies overseeing extensive Data Science, Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Infrastructure teams. His visionary leadership centralised the university’s data initiatives and cultivated a deep-seated culture of data-informed decision-making while managing an annual budget exceeding $20 million.

Vijay’s career began at The University of Texas at Austin, where he spearheaded the development of a globally recognised data warehouse and business intelligence program. His expertise extends to critical data warehousing, ERP planning, and systems analysis roles with leading organisations such as Concentra Healthcare, Systems Integration Solutions Inc., and Sundaram Clayton.

A visionary and a staunch advocate for innovation, Vijay Thiruvengadam is dedicated to leveraging data to drive strategic, impactful outcomes on a global scale. His commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is deeply integrated into their data practices, ensuring that data is a transformative force for positive change across all demographic segments.

Presentation:
Data-Informed Decision Making in Higher Education: A Global Perspective

In the dynamic and increasingly globalized landscape of higher education, institutions worldwide recognize the pivotal role of data in shaping strategic decisions that transcend borders. This presentation explores the transformative impact of data-informed decision-making on universities. It showcases how institutions can leverage their extensive data resources to enhance institutional effectiveness, elevate student success, and optimize operational efficiency globally. By embedding data analytics at the heart of decision-making processes, academic leaders can shift from intuition-based strategies to evidence-driven approaches adaptable to local and international challenges.

The session will delve into the essential elements of successful data-informed decision-making frameworks, such as robust data governance, cutting-edge analytics, and promoting a data-literate culture among faculty and staff. Participants will gain valuable insights into best practices for implementing these frameworks across diverse educational contexts and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the global academic data ecosystem. Through real-world examples and international case studies, this presentation will illustrate how effective data utilization can lead to more informed, equitable, and strategic outcomes, positioning higher education institutions for success in an increasingly interconnected world.