SAS and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman to train analytics experts

SAS continues commitment towards joint academic development with UTAR

KUALA LUMPUR . – Reinforcing its commitment to share and develop expertise towards joint academic development, SAS Malaysia, the leader in business analytics software and services, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). The agreement facilitates innovative teaching and learning as well as the organisation and participation in joint academic-industrial collaborative activities.

The MoU was signed by Ir. Professor Dato’ Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR President, and Mr. Jimmy Cheah, SAS Malaysia Managing Director. Witnesses to the MoU were Prof. Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, and Ms. Tan Siew Ling, SAS Malaysia Academic Programme Manager.

“SAS has long been an active proponent of integrating technology into education in order to improve student learning and success throughout the education life cycle” said Cheah.

He added, “With UTAR, there was a clear opportunity for both parties to work together to provide the right mix of support necessary to complement UTAR’s teaching curriculum, research and consultancy.”

UTAR will capitalize on SAS’ specialized solutions and resources through the SAS Academic program, engaging UTAR lecturers as accredited SAS instructors for relevant SAS training courses.

Additionally, seminars and talks on SAS technologies and career opportunities will enable UTAR students to select the right major to compete in the job market upon graduating. Equipped with SAS skills, UTAR students will enjoy increased opportunities for employment with SAS’ clients. A SAS User Group within UTAR will also allow students to partake in promotional activities such as SAS quizzes and competitions, as well as seminars and forums.

Professor Chuah said, “Various relevant faculties at UTAR will be involved as SAS software will be used in the teaching and research across the various faculties.”

“To produce employable graduates, regardless of the economic climate, we hope to work with more learning institutions. We’re producing a niche workforce, skilled in analytics,that can use information effectively as a competitive edge,” ended Cheah.

SAS has launched many programs with learning institutions in Malaysia to help create a solid knowledge-based group of ICT workers in the country. Presently, SAS is used for teaching and research in 21 universities in Malaysia.

With corporations placing more importance on business analytics to stay ahead of their competitors, there is a clear demand for aptly trained, analytics technology knowledge workers. SAS Malaysia offers the SAS Smart Placement Portal, an easy-to-use job portal specially designed to connect SAS-trained graduates with organizations using SAS software.