Massey University's analytics programme has been expanded to include health and public policy streams as well as business.
Massey University has significantly expanded its relationship with SAS, the leader in analytics. The original relationship dates from 2015 with Massey choosing SAS advanced analytics software to enhance its Master of Analytics programme at the Auckland campus.
The newly-expanded relationship provides additional SAS support for two new programmes, adding Master of Analytics in Health and Master of Analytics in Public Policy to the original Master of Analytics in Business.
Announcing the expanded curriculum support, Professor Leo Paas, Massey University’s analytics programme leader, said, “We started in 2015 with 17 students and SAS has been an important partner from the very beginning.”
He added, “SAS sponsorship and research funding has been extended to the new health and public policy streams and we expect steady growth in student numbers as they become established. There is a real need for analytics in these sectors, whether it’s to improve services like the placement of ambulances or to better identify tax fraud.”
Massey analytics programme leader Professor Leo Paas.
Helping to ease the shortage in data scientists
SAS has also arranged student internship opportunities at some of Australasia’s largest firms and enabled students to qualify for SAS certification credentials. Professor Paas says this additional support has contributed to the programme’s success.
Of 120 students in Massey’s programme to-date, 60 have since graduated. These include Stefan Poninghaus who spent his internship at FIRST Digital and is now with the company full-time in the role of digital data scientist.
He says his exposure to a real-world SAS environment as an intern was invaluable. “It really helped me understand the importance of good communication in business. Finding the right data and analysing it for decision making is only productive if you can present the outcomes to your stakeholders, effectively. That’s what employers want from their analysts.”
According to SAS New Zealand general manager Geoff Beynon, “Massey University’s expanded master’s programme is an important move in addressing a fast-growing need. The world is facing a serious shortage of qualified data scientists and New Zealand is not immune.
“As increasing numbers of organisations in both the private and public sectors seek to exploit the power of advanced analytics for improved decision making, Massey graduates with SAS skills and certification will find ready career openings.”