And now the University’s MSc/PgD Big Data Technologies programme, which launched in September last year, is to receive a further funding boost.
The programme, which is endorsed by global analytics organisation SAS, is to have a further 10 places funded for the 2017/18 academic year thanks to a scholarship from Data Lab, the Scottish Funding Council and the European Social Fund.
Through Data Lab − which facilitates collaborations between industry, public sector and universities − students on the programme will also be part of the Scotland-wide community that is working with pioneering technologies and ideas in Big Data and Data Science. Students will be financially supported to travel and take part in Data Lab events across the country.
Peter Barrie, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer, Communications & Interactive Systems, School of Engineering and Built Environment, said: “Big Data and associated technologies are rapidly being integrated into all sectors of business and industry. The new techniques bring speed and efficiency.
“Previously, an organisation may have gathered and stored a limited volume of data, analysed it over time and made some useful but limited observations that could help their business processes.
“Today, that business can use Big Data techniques on very large data sets to identify insights for immediate decisions. The ability to work rapidly in an agile manner provides businesses with a competitive advantage they didn’t previously have.
“Our programme has been designed with a completely new set of modules to ensure that it perfectly reflects the needs of business, industry and society − today and into the future.”
Data Lab Skills Manager, Joshua Ryan-Saha, said: “The Data Lab is delighted to fund GCU with 10 places this year. We recognised the work GCU has done in the area of Big Data and we are really keen to support a programme so grounded in the local community.”
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