The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), an international higher education institute in Sri Lanka, has launched a new programme of undergraduate study – The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Data Analytics. Affiliated with the University of Westminster in the UK, the degree has been designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to utilise data effectively to drive business outcomes in a rapidly digitizing world. At a webinar organized by IIT, The Impact of Data Analytics in Future Careers was discussed in detail on the 27th of August 2021. The discussion enlightened the audience with verbal and visual insights from Austen Mascranghe, the Head of Department, Business at IIT, and Dinesh Asanka, the Technical Director at Datos (Pvt) Ltd.
The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Data Analytics by IIT
IIT has established itself as a leader in the education sector of Sri Lanka, contributing significantly to the talent pool with skilled and competent graduates over the past three decades. Within the past 5 years, the Institute has educated over 200 students through their Master of Science in Business Data Analytics (BDA) with Robert Gordan University. “Accordingly, we have recognized the importance of data analytics for the future of businesses and have decided to introduce the field of study to school leavers and those beginning their higher education journey at an undergraduate level,” stated Austen.
The B.Sc (Hons) in Big Data Analytics brings with it the fundamental principles of business management, data science, and information systems. Thus, enabling students to better visualize and utilise data for decision making in a corporate environment.
“The course has been structured in such a way that it is less towards the technical side compared to degrees in computer science and AI, while yet covering the fundamentals of information systems and business management,” Austen added. The programme requires four years of full-time dedication; with three years of study and one year of intermediate work placement upon completion of the first two years.
The minimum entry requirements to the B.Sc (Hons) in BDA course are 3 passes at GCE Advanced Level coupled with credit passes for Ordinary Level English and Mathematics. Alternatively, students may also enrol through the IIT Foundation certificate, which is increasing in popularity due to the uncertainty of AL examinations with the pandemic.
Data Analytics in the World of Business
“Data analytics lie at the core of any business decision, and rely on the use of a variety of tools and techniques for accurate results,” explained Dinesh. In recent times, eCommerce and Digital Marketing companies have been seen to increase their investments in data analytics. Using recommendation systems as an example, he discussed how titles displayed on Amazon, Netflix, and Youtube, upon completing a purchase/movie/video, utilize user information to display what to click on next. In doing so, the analytics behind these suggestions have generated incredible revenue for their respective companies while also providing a better user experience to their customers. Therefore, the pay scale of those working in data analytics tends to be substantially higher as per Dinesh.
Moreover, data analytics is not limited to the IT department of any company. From CEOs to management accountants, business strategies need to be backed by results provided through data analytics. However, some roles are directly involved in the development of analytics systems that require a more in-depth understanding of the field, which is offered through the B.Sc (Hons) in Business Data Analytics degree by IIT.
Data architects, data engineers, and business intelligence analysts are considered core roles and focus on the development of such approaches and methods. Additionally, companies may also have supportive roles such as quality assurance and ETL developers who also require skills instilled by the programme. The first intake for the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Business Data Analytics by IIT is now open for enrollments commencing in January 2022. For more enrollment information and in choosing a career that is future-friendly, visit https://www.iit.ac.lk/course/bsc-hons-business-data-analytics/ today.