Leading analytics company links with the University of Southampton
The major international software company SAS has chosen to partner with the Southampton Management School and Mathematics to enable students to develop the essential skills for a rewarding career in analysing ‘big data’.
A SAS Student Academy is being established at the Centre for Operational Research, Management Science and Information Systems (CORMSIS) by the global market leader in business intelligence and analytics; it is one of ten in the UK.
"This software gives students flexible tools to use various statistical techniques on many computing platforms," explains Gillian Groom, Industrial Liaison Officer for the postgraduate Management Sciences and Operational Research programmes. "Most major financial services companies use SAS in their credit risk areas so it is vital that students are familiar with the software. There are many openings for graduates with this knowledge."
Through the Academy, Southampton students will learn the skills in demand by many companies who want to improve their analytics. During their studies they will get the opportunity to meet SAS customers and partners at dedicated careers fairs. Academic staff will also gain access to SAS professional training and support.
SAS was founded in 1976 at North Carolina State University and employs more than 13,000 staff in 56 countries. Company CEO Dr Jim Goodnight says: "Because our world is changing so quickly, education will be the essential fuel that drives the engine of our economy. Partnering with UK universities help us address the shortage of data scientists in our two countries."
The University’s MSc degrees in Business Analytics and Management Science, Operation Research and Finance all include a three month summer placement giving students the opportunity to put their skills to use with many of the UK’s leading companies. Many graduates of these programmes are now in senior positions in many sectors around the world.