Sunway University College to produce Analytical Graduates with SAS

Sunway is the first institution to offer a joint certification with SAS on Information Systems degree course in Malaysia.

Sunway University College (Sunway) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SAS Institute Inc. USA (SAS) to enable Sunway the full right to run a specialization in the area of Business Intelligence and Data Mining in its B.Sc (Hons) Information System degree programme.

Shaking hands on the partnership, Elizabeth Lee (left), Executive Director, Sunway University College with Mr Jimmy Cheah (2^nd from right), Managing Director, SAS Malaysia. Witnessing the occasion was Mr. Lee Weng Keng (Centre), CEO Education & Healthcare Division, The Sunway Group

This programme is the first international collaboration between Sunway, a local higher institution of learning and SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services through SAS Malaysia, catered for the local market. Sunway will be issuing an international joint certificate endorsed by SAS Global to students who successfully complete the requirement for Data Mining and Business Intelligence next year.

Sunway has chosen SAS as its strategic tool for teaching Information Systems degree courses for its under-graduates. SAS will allow the university to ensure students have the best skills and knowledge to enhance their competitive standing in the job market, thus enhancing the employability of its graduates.

During the signing of the MoU at Sunway University College, its Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Bignall said “The Business Intelligence and Data Mining subjects will expose students to a real world data set and challenges, giving students the chance to hone their skills and gain valuable experience in the project”.

“SAS specialists, industry experts and academics from the Sunway will work together to ensure quality and delivery of the subjects which will result in an ecosystem of sustainable collaboration between a university and the industry” he added.

Mr. Jimmy Cheah, Managing Director, SAS Malaysia who signed on behalf of SAS Institute Inc. USA said in his speech “With the doubling of data at increasing speed in today’s world, Business Analytics is becoming very important in providing crucial insights for companies to make informed decisions. The SAS certification helps to provide a pool of qualified resources accessible to corporations which is a great benefit for both students and corporations.

“Relevancy is the key word as we need to produce the quality and skilled talent in the area of Business Analytics to address the increasing demand of the industry. Hence, both the university and SAS play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the supply and demand of analytical talents in the market”, he added.