Strathmore University has Launched a Master’s Of Science in Data Science and Analytics (MSc. DSA) program to equip participants with business and IT underpinnings of Data Science and Analytics.

The program is a collaboration between Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences (SIMS) and @iLabAfrica Research and Innovation Centre. The university says the program is meant for l professionals looking to harness data in new, innovative ways and make data-driven decisions.

“We need to use data science to understand customer behaviour. Even the media industry need to understand the customer in a very special way where data will help to customise the news they provide individual customers on various different platforms depending on the consumers generated patterns.” Chief Guest speaker, Dr. Julius Kipng’etich – Group CEO Jubilee Insurance said, at the launch

95% of the world’s data has been created in just the past 2 years. Data is the next natural resource and Big Data is becoming the new differentiating factor of production. Faced with overwhelming amounts of data, organisations are struggling to extract the powerful insights they need to make smarter business decisions

“The answers are already there in the data, which is everywhere, but somehow we are not using these data. We keep using the old methods yet, if we just did the analysis, we would find the appropriate answers we are looking for in our organizations.” Dr. Vincent Ogutu – Vice-Chancellor Designate, Strathmore University said.

“It is scary to think of how much power people who hold your data have over you. I am hoping in this course we will get professionals who can help us find solutions from data and at the same time be very ethical enough to help us understand how to protect ourselves from the people who access our data that is very exposed.”

Dr. Sevilla – Director of @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University noted that “Data science is a combination of skills where people are able to understand mathematical models, how to implement these models using computer programs, applications and software and then apply this knowledge into businesses.”

“We are bringing out the skills of business, IT and mathematical modelling with the aim of shaping people who fall under business, IT and Mathematical modelling and are going to apply these skills in businesses.

The launch was also attended by Anastasia Kariuki – Associate Director KPMG EA, David Nyamai – Head of Big Data and Business Analytics, Safaricom, Bhartesh Shah –Group Chief Operations Officer I&M Bank, Prof Thomas Achia – Senior Statistician and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, University of the Western Cape and Dr. John Olukuru, Head of Data Science and Analytics.

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