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HKU launches Master of Science in Business Analytics

02 Feb 2017

 

With the rapid development of information technologies, the amount of data generated in recent years has been tremendously increased, and this phenomenon is known as "Big Data".  Companies gain insights and develop management strategies by gathering, cleaning, analysing and applying the vast amounts of data generated from various channels such as business transactions, healthcare, mobile applications, sensor networks, video-capturing systems, and social media.  The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) announces that a new postgraduate programme, Master of Science in Business Analytics [MSc(BA)], will be launched in the academic year 2017-18.

Features of the Curriculum
Combining theoretical learning with hands-on practical training, professional knowledge that students gain from the curriculum are highly relevant and widely applicable to the real world.  The well-structured curriculum offers a range of rigorous courses in business analytics, including statistics, decision models, operation analytics, business intelligence and analytics, and applications in forecasting, simulation, data mining, social media, service process, supply chains, marketing and finance, etc.

The programme collaborates with organisations, such as Cyberport, to provide students with the opportunity to complete the capstone core course by applying their knowledge to real world situations.  In addition, students will be able to enhance their soft skills and broaden their professional network through various enrichment activities organised by the Faculty.

Prof. Haipeng SHEN, MSc(BA) Programme Director, said: “In recent years, the industry is in need of graduates who are strong in big data and business analysis.  The Faculty is well aware of the demand and is dedicated to train professionals with the skill set of data and knowledge management, statistics, economic analysis, and business operations.  According to a survey published in the McKinsey Quarterly in 2014, the global market will be short of 140,000 to 190,000 seasoned professionals in business analysis and 1.5 million managers who can apply big data analytics to make effective decisions.  Companies nowadays have adopted big data for development situation analysis so as to improve management practices and efficiency.  All big data related positions in the global job market require candidates to be well-versed in business analysis, including those in retail industry, FMCG, finance, marketing, supply chain, business consulting, e-commerce, etc.  We trust that the career prospect of our graduates is bright.”

Dr. Hsiao-Hui LEE, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management, added: “In the era of big data, it is essential to develop business analytic capabilities to address business issues and challenges.  Our curriculum will not only cover theoretical knowledge by teachers with rich experience in data applications and scientific research, but also provide opportunities for students to accumulate practical experience and to establish a professional network useful for their future career advancement.  We expect to admit 60 students in the inauguration batch.  The response we have been receiving is extremely encouraging.  We look forward to meeting the first batch of our students in August 2017.”

Admissions Schedule
Round 1: January 31, 2017 (Tue)
Round 2: February 28, 2017 (Tue)
Round 3: 12:00nn (HKT), March 31, 2017 (Fri)

For media enquiries, please contact:
Helen Wong
Assistant Director of Communications
HKU Faculty of Business and Economics
Tel: +852 6199 6988 / +852 3917 4311
Email: hgewong@hku.hk

Anita Handayani
Communications Manager
HKU Faculty of Business and Economics
Tel: +852 3917 4488
Email: anitah@hku.hk

About Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Hong Kong
The Faculty of Business and Economics at The University of Hong Kong strives to nurture first-class business leaders and foster academic and relevant research to serve the needs of Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world in the new Asia-led economy.  As Asia’s premier international business school, FBE engages leading scholars from all corners of the globe and they instil in the students global knowledge with an Asian perspective.  The Faculty attracts top students from Hong Kong and beyond.  It admits the highest proportion of non-local undergraduate students amongst all Faculties at HKU.  Three of its undergraduate programmes are ranked among the University’s top 10 programmes.

The Faculty’s full-time MBA programme has a strong Asia and China focus, and the programme has been ranked Asia’s no. 1 in the World MBA Rankings released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for seven consecutive years from 2010 to 2016.  Students can opt for an overseas exchange opportunity to supplement their campus learning in Hong Kong: a London track at London Business School, a New York track at Columbia Business School or a Hong Kong/China track at Fudan University.

The Faculty also offers an elite EMBA Global Asia programme, jointly with CBS and LBS, for globally-focused senior executives and professionals.  Its International MBA Programme, delivered in Shanghai in collaboration with Fudan University, was the first of its kind when it was launched in 1998.

FBE is fully accredited by the European Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS).  Its accounting and business programmes are also accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).