Deloitte Partnership Fosters Experiential Education
Schulich launched one of the world’s first professional management programs, Master of Business Analytics (MBAN), in June 2012. This intensive, 12-month Masters program combines mathematical and statistical study with instruction on advanced computational and data analysis to ferret out the data that drives decision-making in business. Fueling the MBAN Program’s early growth was a partnership with SAS, the world leader in business analytics software and services.
In October 2017, Schulich announced a groundbreaking partnership with Deloitte, a global leader in business analytics, to establish the Deloitte Cognitive Analytics & Visualization Lab.
According to Murat Kristal, Program Director of Schulich’s MBAN Program and an Associate Professor of Operations Management & Information Systems, companies are capturing vast amounts of data, but they need more highly-trained patterns and trends to create value for their customers and shareholders. “Business analytics and data visualization are a potential game changer for every industry.”
The Lab will house the new, innovative Analytics Consulting Project (ACP). The ACP is the first program of its kind in Canada – a hands-on experiential learning program that will link students with real-world organizations and will use real client data to provide actionable insights and solutions to the organization. Working in teams over the course of eight months, the MBAN students will be paired with industry partners and spend the final two terms of the Program using the Lab’s proprietary platform and capabilities. Faculty advisors will provide consultation and guidance throughout the project.
Schulich believes the Lab will play an important role in developing the next generation of data storytellers and become a centerpiece of the School’s new Centre of Excellence in Business Analytics in the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building.