The Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) formally began classes on 05 March 2018 at the Asian Institute of Management campus.
The first class of the pioneering data science program is made up of 42 students from top universities around the Philippines.
Launched on 08 November 2017, the first formal data science degree program in the Philippines.
AIM President and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang opened the program, congratulating not only the students but also the Institute’s MSDS team who made the program a reality.
“Today is a day that we will make history. I want lots of pictures — really nice pictures — to be taken. Because some years later, I have no doubt that we’ll be looking at these pictures and saying, ‘Wow, we were part of that history,’” Dr. Kang said.
Professor Christopher Monterola, Executive Managing Director of ACCeSs@AIM and Head of the School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (SITE), discussed the various degree programs under SITE and how their students can work together to promote nation-building.
“SITE is where innovators, technologists, scientists, and entrepreneurs meet. We hope that such meetings will be a catalyst in generating impact, powering innovation, and creating value,” said Monterola.
“A personal advocacy of mine is nation-building. And hopefully as part of SITE, I can lead you to look at the same direction,” he added.
MSDS Academic Program Director Prof. Erika Legara was the third speaker.
“You’re all here with us here today because we believe you have the right capabilities, you have what it takes to complete the program. You’re here because we believe that you can help AIM trailblaze data science in the Philippines and in the whole of the Asian region,” said Legara.
The 42 students in the first MSDS class are made up of graduates from computer science, mathematics, statistics and economics, physics, engineering, business administration and accountancy, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
Majority of the students have a bachelor’s degree (69%) and one student is taking up an Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) at the same time as their MSDS. Women make up 19% of the class.
Ending the program, Dr. Kang emphasized AIM’s unique position among higher education institutions that offer data science degree programs.
“What we’re going to teach you is not just the data, not just how to work the data from scientific perspectives. But also, we’ll teach you what questions to ask,” Dr. Kang said. “We’ll teach you how to intersect data science with business and management problems. Not only that, we’ll teach you how to communicate what you find.”
Media Coverage
Top PH conglomerates to invest in data science — ABS-CBN News
Big data, AI must be learned by future executives–AIM — BusinessMirror
Philippine’s leading conglomerates to invest in data science — Stock Signals Philippines