The G20 Summit in figures: Christian Bongers, a Bachelor’s graduate from Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, brought DESTATIS data to life online in a visual and interactive way.
For the ‘Interactive Data Visualisation’ project during the 2015/16 winter semester at the Kamp-Lintfort campus, project leader Professor Dr Frank Zimmer, Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, secured the Federal Statistical Office as a partner. Daniel O’Donnell, Head of the DESTATIS division ‘International Statistics and Customer Management’, supported the five interdisciplinary student teams right through to the final presentation and was impressed by the results achieved. The team led by Christian Bongers was particularly impressive thanks to its concept, which was well thought out in every detail, and its high level of user-friendliness. “The interactive charts showed that the presentation of statistical data need not be complicated or confusing,” said Prof. Zimmer, explaining the very positive assessment of the team’s performance. “With just a few clicks, the world of numbers opens up to a wide variety of target groups in visually accessible infographics, and results are sorted according to individual search criteria.”
Following his presentation, team leader Christian Bongers no longer had to look for a placement for his subsequent practical semester: he received an invitation to Berlin and carried out further research into the interactive visualisation of statistical data on behalf of DESTATIS. “Christian Bongers has demonstrated that he is perfectly equipped to meet the ever-changing demands of the digitalised world and can use a wide range of technologies with confidence,” emphasises Prof. Zimmer. “In addition to his technical expertise, his solution-oriented approach to thinking and acting is particularly sought after.”
The highlight of the collaboration between DESTATIS and Bongers to date is his visualisation for this year’s G20 summit. Bongers created all the tables, charts and statistics for the participating countries for the summit’s interactive website. Journalists, in particular, made use of the platform and were generous with their positive feedback. Anyone interested can continue to browse the website at service.destatis.de/G20/ and find a wealth of background information on the G20 countries.
For his Bachelor’s thesis on the ‘G20 in Figures’ project, Bongers was awarded a perfect 1.0 following his oral examination on 21 July 2017. What does the future hold for him now? “My next goal is a Master’s degree in Digital Media,” replies the 29-year-old from Goch. For him, it goes without saying that he will continue his studies at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences: “Our course content is very practice-oriented. It is particularly through the interdisciplinary projects that we learn to look beyond the confines of our own academic disciplines and to integrate other methods and perspectives. They prepare us well for the global world of work.” His dream project for his Master’s degree: “Making data truly tangible in virtual reality.”
