Data 'explosion' spurs demand for business analytics professionals

The avalanche of data from consumer-generated content in social networks and the increasing use of IT systems by enterprises may be a bane for IT managers, but it is a boon for students joining the IT workforce. According to Sonny Halili, Pacific regional director for business analytics firm SAS, there is huge demand for business analytics professionals around the world due to this 'explosion of data.' Majority of this demand especially for Filipino IT professionals comes from Singapore, he pointed out. "The explosion of data coming from the web and business transactions [is driving up this demand]," Halili said. "There are a lot of companies who want to understand their customers better, and the only way to do that is to understand the data that they have [through] business analytics." Generally, Halili said, firms would want to get ahead of the competition by extracting insights from their data. The task requires a professional trained with the right skills. He said the industry is taking things proactively by making sure graduates are equipped with the right analytical skills. To achieve this, Halili said institutional partnerships are being forged with higher education institutions under the umbrella SAS Global Academic Program. Insight and practical support The program, which has been in place in the Philippines for the past 10 years, gives the academe insight and practical support in business analytics. Partnerships have been forged with the University of the Philippines-Dilliman, De La Salle University on Taft and Asia Pacific College to integrate SAS-based modules into their respective curricula. On Wednesday, SAS announced a first in their institutional partnerships by offering the SAS Specialization Track to BS Information Technology students of the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT). Under the program, MIT will devote a four-term, 12-unit SAS-developed course that will immerse students in technologies offered by the IT firm and develop their analytical thinking, a core requirement of the profession. At the end of the course, students are given the option to take the SAS certifcation program at a discounted price of $50, which will earn them the title "Certified SAS Consultant." According to MIT officials, around 80 students have signed up for the elective, which will start next October. SAS said they will also train the professors who will handle the program. Partnerships with the academe is one of the strategies SAS has employed in expanding its talent pool, Halili said. "That is an ongoing practice in other universities." MIT president Dr. Reynaldo Vea cited the importance of analytics in business today, and how the specialized track can open doors to students of the Yuchengco-owned school. "The explosion of data characterizes many businesses today. That is why it is essential for businesses to be able to organize and analyze their data," he said. — VS, GMA News