IIT launches Sri Lanka’s first MSc in Big Data Analytics

Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) announced a groundbreaking partnership with Robert Gordon University, Scotland to deliver a Big Data Analytics MSc post graduate degree program. Industry leaders applaud this milestone as a much needed program in the context of Big Data trends in the world today and feel it will help in national competitiveness as there is a lacuna in this field of knowledge dissemination. The MSc was announced at a stimulating International Technical Forum on Big Data Analytics hosted by IIT at BMICH. At the event, leading researchers and experts in the field of data science shared key insights based on their experiences and challenges in the field of Big Data. The speakers for this event were Prof. Chrisina Jayne and Dr. Nirmalie Wiratunga from the School of Computing Science and Digital Media, Robert Gordon University, Prof. Frans Coenen from the Department of Computer Science, University of Liverpool and Dr. Srinath Perera, Vice President, Research at WSO2. Many Fortune 500 and large multinational conglomerates use Big Data Analytics to boost the growth of their companies and to make strategic decisions which lead to growth. Its applications are manifold ranging from healthcare and security to smart cities and telecommunication. Robert Gordon University’s MSc in Big Data Analytics will be offered at IIT Campus, commencing from September and aims to produce specialist data scientists with training in industry relevant data acquisition, storage, warehousing, analytics and visualisation tools and techniques and a good understanding of the needs of industry. The course will prepare graduates in technical disciplines for a career in the design and implementation analytics and visualisation solutions for industry Specialised job roles available for those following the MSc in Big Data Analytics include, Data Analyst, Data Visualisation Specialist, Data Manager, Database Designer/ Manager, Data Mining Expert and Big Data Scientist. The Robert Gordon University is a leading university based in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. According to the 2013 Times Good University Guide it is the best modern university in the UK, while according to The Guardian University Guide 2013 it is the best modern university in Scotland and 2nd-best in the UK. It was also shortlisted for Sunday Times University of the Year 2012 and was named Best Modern University in the UK for 2012 by The Sunday Times University Guide. Robert Gordon University Deputy Principal Professor John Harper speaking at the Technical Forum said he was looking forward to the partnership with IIT in the rollout of this master’s program. “We both share a strong industry focus and top rankings in employability. I am confident it would lead to even greater knowledge sharing and research collaboration in years ahead,” Professor Harper said. IIT CEO Dr. Sampath Kannangara said, “We are proud to yet again step in and fill a much needed gap in a vital area of education with a globally recognised postgraduate degree.” “Big Data is one of the leading trends that would have a positive impact on world growth and sustainability. We are happy to spearhead the first MSc course in Big Data for the country,” he added. IIT is the pioneer in providing quality British higher education in Sri Lanka and has produced nearly 3,000 graduates who are spread across the globe. The campus which is also affiliated to the University of Westminster, UK, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK and Deakin University, Australia offers foundation, undergraduate programs and post-graduate. With 26 years of experience, IIT has earned a wide reputation of being pioneer in providing internationally renowned higher education in Business and IT in Sri Lanka. IIT is an award winning campus, which has bagged many accolades for innovation in local and international competitions such as Microsoft Imagine Cup, National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA), Google Summer of Code, British Council-HSBC Youth Enterprise Award, e-Swabhimani and Samsung Digital Native Award. Many multinational and local blue-chip companies have come forward to provide the necessary exposure for IIT students which has helped them to gain an insight into their respective industries as well as for them to acquire essential skills that are vital to a successful career, thus resulting in these students having a guaranteed job placement. Web: www.iit.ac.lk, email: [email protected], hotline: 0722 727272.