Singapore’s first data science academy launched

• Joint effort by Temasek Polytechnic, EMC and Pivotal to close skills gap
• Practical education, certification and lab for students and working professionals

TEMASEK Polytechnic (TP), Pivotal Software and EMC have announced a strategic partnership to launch the TP-Pivotal Data Science Academy.
 
The academy combines a practical education, software-defined analytics platform, dedicated lab space and certification into a streamlined programme for aspiring data scientists and big data engineers, Pivotal said in a statement.
 
It will also be the first of its kind to be hosted in a polytechnic in Singapore, with close collaboration and support from industry partners.
 
As enterprises in Asia Pacific face growing challenges in managing big data, the academy will help meet the escalating demand for data science professionals.
 
In addition, this supports Singapore’s vision to become a Smart Nation by developing a talented workforce, the company added.
 
“Singapore is uniquely positioned to become a regional power in big data and data science,” said Greg Whalen, chief data scientist, Pivotal Asia Pacific and Japan.
 
“With many multinationals choosing Singapore as their hub in Asia, Singapore represents the natural choice for both performing Asia-wide analytics on large data sets and has the multi-cultural and educational environment to succeed in executing on that vision.
 
“In parallel, Singapore's goal to become the first Smart Nation will drive further demand for data science and big data professionals,” he added.
 
The announcement came just two days after Malaysia announced that it was rolling out its National Big Data Framework.
 
Leveraging on Pivotal’s experience in helping numerous companies globally and in Asia Pacific execute their first data science projects and establish internal centres-of-excellence for training, Pivotal and EMC will come together as a ‘federation’ of companies to provide strategically aligned solutions and expertise for the TP-Pivotal Data Science Academy.
 
The academy will also offer a software-defined platform as an option for customers to get started on their journey with data science in the emerging arena of mobile, cloud, big data and social (also called the Third Platform).
 
An extension of TP’s two full-time and part-time diploma programmes on big data management and in business analytics, the programme will support selected diploma coursework as well as provide short elective courses and a six-week projects programme designed to solve both hypothetical problems and real problems in the areas of big data management and business analytics.
 
In addition, working professionals wanting to earn a certification in data science skill-sets can now register for specialist diploma courses and short certification courses at the new Data Science Academy.
 
The first intake is expected to commence in the second or third quarter of 2015, with 100 participants expected to enrol in the first year.
 
Related Stories:
 
Malaysia's big data framework rolls out
 
For Smart Nation vision, a call for all to help

Malaysia’s big data aspirations and the talent gap
 
The 3rd Platform and the future of emerging Asean
 
 
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