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Experts Point to Critical Need to Grow Big Data Training
Monday, April 27, 2015Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, April 27, 2015--(T-Net)--Members of a national consortium on Big Data and advanced analytics, including Simon Fraser University and partner universities, are pointing to a growing need for increased education and training in the burgeoning field, and are working to produce a report on the issue this summer.
Following the recent Big Data Talent Gap Summit in Toronto, SFU computing science professor Fred Popowich says managing Canada's Big Data capabilities is critical to the country's competitive advantage.
“Over the years, there has been a lot of investment into making Canada more of a knowledge based economy,” says Popowich, who is also the director of the Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics (VIVA) and president of the Canadian Network for Visual Analytics.
SFU is a CANVAC founding member.
“Being able to manage and leverage our Big Data capabilities is essential for our continued growth. People from around the world are already coming to Canada for their training; we have the opportunity to expand this training, and to integrate many of these people into our economy.”
Summit participants focused on preliminary data concerning the skills and capabilities needed, and the size of the gap between need and availability. A clearer picture of Canada's role will emerge once the report is finalized, Popowich adds.
“From looking at a broad range of information, I still see a demand for people who know how to use the range of new tools effectively, and a need to integrate them into current business processes. Part of the challenge is that these business processes vary in different industries and market segments.
“There is also a large demand for people who know how to integrate different data sources into existing systems and business processes. Combined with the need for certain technical skills, there's also a need for the right ‘people' skills, to ensure that there is appropriate information and decision flow between the stakeholders.”
Popowich says to effectively reduce the gap, a broad spectrum of strategies can be tapped, ranging from university degree and certificate programs, or university/college based continuing education courses or programs, to training and re-training modules that can be delivered to people already in the workforce.
SFU's Professional Masters Program in Big Data, launched last fall, is designed to meet the demand for big data specialists. Meanwhile the Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics also provides courses and is currently in discussion with SFU's Lifelong learning to collaborate on continuing education courses.
“For the greatest success, we also need to consider alternative education environments in addition to the traditional classroom and lab,” adds Popowich.
The fourth national Visual Analytics Summer School will be held this year in Toronto. SFU held the inaugural school in 2012.
About The Big Data Consortium
The Big Data Consortium brings together the expertise and interests of governments, industries and universities in advancing Canada's capabilities in Big Data and Advanced Analytics. Government, academic and industry leaders from 15 different sectors gathered for the summit. Their goal is to collectively identify and develop solutions to the gap that exists between skills in advanced analytics and the recruiting demand for analytic talent in sectors as diverse as healthcare, telecommunications, finance and energy.
About SFU
As Canada's engaged university, SFU is defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research and far-reaching community engagement. SFU was founded almost 50 years ago with a mission to be a different kind of university—to bring an interdisciplinary approach to learning, embrace bold initiatives, and engage with communities near and far. Today, SFU is a leader amongst Canada's comprehensive research universities and is ranked one of the top universities in the world under 50 years of age. With campuses in British Columbia's three largest cities—Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby—SFU has eight faculties, delivers almost 150 programs to over 30,000 students, and boasts more than 130,000 alumni in 130 countries around the world.
Contact:
Fred Popowich, 778.782.4193; popowich@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, University Communications, 778.782.9017; Marianne_Meadahl@sfu.ca
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