Think big with Big Data Analytics

MDeC aims for Malaysia to be a Big Data Analytics service hub by 2020. The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) responds by hosting a week to create awareness about Big Data Analytics last October.

Title the "Big Data Week," this initiative by APU attracted participation from various industry experts, such as MDeC, SAS, Microsoft, HTC Global Solutions, Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd, HILTI Asia IT Services, Big Data Malaysia and Data Incubator and Data Streams, as they shared valuable knowledge related to Big Data via workshops and talks held throughout the week.

At the opening presentation, Prof. Dr Ir. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology (FCET) introduced the efforts of APU in making its mark in the domains of Big Data. “We are committed to the national interest in producing Data Professionals. Our current undergraduate programmes have been equipped with curriculum content to develop graduates fit to undertake data analytical challenges.”

APU will be the first private university in Malaysia to offer the MSc in Data Science & Business Analytics. The curriculum was jointly developed with SAS, the leader in analytics, whereby students, teachers and researchers will be equipped with the latest in Business Intelligence and Analytics (BIA) knowledge and tools.

Andrew Tan, Managing Director of SAS Malaysia said, “This collaboration is aimed at producing world-class analytics talent in line with the rapidly-growing market demand. We are honored to be working with a visionary university such as APU towards realizing the nation’s big data goals.”

Director of MDeC Innovation Capital Dr Karl Ng Kar Hou, who officiated the event alongside APU's Deputy Vice Chancellor, said, “Malaysia is ready to embrace the vast opportunities that Big Data Analytics (BDA) has to offer. We applaud APU’s efforts in leading the way among Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning to play a key role in developing the BDA talent ecosystem. This will undoubtedly play a big role in achieving our vision of having 1,500 local data scientists by 2020 and accelerate Malaysia’s vision of being the BDA hub in the region.”

The Big Data Week also played host to the launch of the Asia Pacific Centre of Analytics (APCA), a committee which comprises lecturers and students from various disciplines, to develop skills sets pertaining to the Data Scientist profession and to establish APU as a centre for industry-based analytical research. The team, chaired by Hema Latha Krishna Nair, will be involved in establishments of industry links, research activities, consultancy and training in the Big Data Analytics (BDA) field.

The week demonstrated a huge leap for the university's efforts to maximise the utilisation of Big Data in various areas.

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is among the Highest Rated Universities in Malaysia, being rated at TIER 5 (EXCELLENT) under the SETARA 2013 Ratings. For more information, please visit their website.