Innovative way of offering Master’s program on data analytics with minimal resources

抄録

Data Analytics is an area of high demand and the shortage of data scientists is becoming a serious constraint in some sectors. At the same time, universities often face budgetary restrictions, which do not allow them to hire faculty to establish the necessary new programs. In this paper we consider an innovative way of starting a new program with minimal resources considering a case-study of multi-campus, multi-department program on Data Analytics offered by SUNY Buffalo State and SUNY Fredonia. Each of the universities will offer some of the courses in synchronous or asynchronous distance education settings. In addition, some of the lecturers will come from various industrial sectors and students will be exposed to real-world problems. This makes the program very flexible and ensures invaluable practical experience which improves the marketability of the graduates. Combining the efforts of the two universities saves valuable resources and keeps the cost of instruction low. Shizuoka University, Japan, which does not have a program on data analytics, is studying the possibilities for sending students and engaging faculty members in the program.