Launch of Business Skillset in Predictive Analytics 

DIT and SAS to collaborate on analytics education

DUBLIN  (June 29, 2008)  –  The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and SAS Ireland today joined forces to launch Ireland’s first third-level course on analytics. The announcement reflects the growing recognition by Irish businesses of the competitive advantage to be gained through business intelligence and predictive analytics. Analytics specialists employing SAS business intelligence and analytics can assist a business to speedily and effectively scrutinise the immense data within their organisations that in turn can identify potential growth and innovation opportunities.

DIT President Professor Brian Norton and Michael Kearney, Managing Director, SAS Ireland, today announced that the course will be incorporated into DIT School of Computing Masters programmes in response to the rapidly expanding field of data analytics. The course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of analytical concepts and hands-on experience with the same powerful tools used in industry today.

“Modern society is awash in data. The tools, concepts and practices of analytics hold the key to understanding massive amounts of data and then using this knowledge to make sound decisions. Whether it is uncovering fraud in banking transactions, improving the quality of healthcare received by patients or predicting which customers will respond to a marketing campaign, the applications of data analytics cross all industries. As such, the ability to strategically apply analytics is a core skill across industry, making experts in the field in high demand,” says Michael Kearney.

The initiative, which will be an integral part of DIT’s MSc in Computing programme, brings together some of DIT’s most talented faculty staff to work in collaboration with one of the world’s leaders in analytics software under the guidance of course lecturer Dr. Brian Mac Namee.

Mr Kearney states, “Together we will create an educational program that is truly world-class and unparalleled in addressing the needs of the 21st century workforce. Competing on analytics in organisations, government agencies and educational institutions is becoming a must. And our customers are making it clear: They need more talent capable of leveraging world-class business intelligence systems. DIT will help meet this need with high-quality, domain-specific, analytics education.”

Welcoming the initiative, Professor Norton said “One of the great strengths in DIT is the way in which we prepare our students for the demands of their future careers.  This is an excellent example of how business and academia can work together, using the practical application of the most current technology.”

The announcement comes on the back of the inaugural SAS Certification course that was recently offered at DIT School of Computing and School of Mathematical Sciences. The Certification course was offered to Masters and undergraduate students following their exams at the end of May. The course, which was oversubscribed, resulted in 20 students being SAS Certified.

About DIT

Dublin Institute of Technology has a long and proud tradition of excellence in education in Ireland for more than a century.  Now one of the largest and most innovative institutions of higher education in the country, DIT has more than 20,000 students taking full-time and part-time programmes at all levels from apprenticeship to post-doctoral. A multi-disciplinary institution, DIT offers career-focussed programmes in science and technology, engineering and architecture, business and enterprise, tourism and food, media and law, and the visual and performing arts. Strong links with industry and the professions ensure that programmes are current and relevant, and are informed by research and professional practice. For more information see  www.comp.dit.ie and www.maths.dit.ie.

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