Transforming the approach to curriculum design to benefit the next generation of data and AI talent

Torrens University has always done things differently. Formed in 2013, Torrens University is Australia’s fastest-growing university and the only publicly investor-funded one, a subsidiary of Strategic Education Incorporated (NASDAQ: STRA). With an international footprint that spans eight campuses in Australia, one in New Zealand and one in China, Torrens University offers vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate, and research and specialised degree programs across a range of faculties and disciplines delivered both virtually and on-campus.

As part of Torrens University’s core offering, a range of technology courses and degrees build knowledge and capability for students in specialist areas including AI and analytics. To bolster their offering, Torrens University selected the SAS Academic Program to train analytics students using SAS Viya. The selection was strategic, ensuring Torrens University students were trained using the leading AI and analytics platform available to the market. Embedding SAS as an integral part of Torrens University’s Analytics programs, students participate in subjects within the programs which integrate SAS training resources and use SAS Viya. Students use these resources and SAS Viya to tackle real-world business problems by building and deploying data visualisation and machine learning models. Students are also offered the opportunity to earn the certification SAS Certified Specialist: Machine Learning as part of one subject.

“By leveraging the SAS academic program, Torrens University provides students with access to high-quality training resources, a cutting-edge analytics tool, and an industry certification in machine learning. The employment opportunities for Torrens University graduates who are industry-certified users of the SAS Viya platform are significant,” said Associate Professor Hayden McDonald, Program Director of Business Analytics.

For Chenkun Sun, studying his Master of Business Analytics at Torrens University was a choice he made due to a combination of the strong industry connections and the practical focus that is highly valued by future employers. “The university provided us with practical projects and case studies involving SAS Machine Learning, which helped me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

“Gaining the SAS Machine Learning certification early in my career allowed me to integrate advanced analytics into my skillset, enhancing my capabilities to tackle complex data challenges effectively,” said Sun.

The collaboration between Torrens University and SAS has had a wide-reaching impact that has extended beyond the initial scope. “The strategic alliance with SAS has expanded Torrens University’s approach to curriculum design and positively influenced employability outcomes for our students. This academic-industry alliance is crucial to keep pace with the advancements in analytics and AI,” said Associate Professor Claire Davison, Associate Dean – School of Analytics and Business Information Systems.

The incorporation of SAS technology into Torrens University curriculum plays a vital role in building the pipeline of data and AI talent. “The demand for business savvy professionals with knowledge and skills in AI and analytics outstrips the supply of new workers into the marketplace,” added McDonald.

The benefits of this collaboration are not stopping there. Torrens University is in the process of achieving the SAS Academic Specialisation for the Master of Business Analytics program. This will ensure that further SAS certifications will be embedded in the program. In addition to this upcoming milestone, the strategic partnership will broaden further through education programs - including the new Graduate Certificate Analytics program - delivered in collaboration with universities in India. This is further evidence of one of Torrens University’s core values to ‘Be global,’ delivering educational programs with SAS that are ensuring that the pipeline of data and AI talent benefits Australia, but all corners of the world.