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Empowering with hands-on industry-standard analytics tools

SAS technology readies students to thrive as they build their careers.

#1

Australian university attended by startup founders, according to PitchBook¹

With over 63,000 students from 132 countries and over 330,000 alumni, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is not just one of Australia’s leading universities, but also one of the world’s leading tertiary institutions. Since UNSW’s foundation in 1949, it has been an institution of many firsts, of trailblazers and landmark achievements. It is the #1 Australian university attended by start-up founders, speaking to a strong STEM culture and a focus on nurturing the next generation of leaders.

Underlining this commitment to technology, data and analytics, the UNSW Business School partnership with SAS’ Academic Program began in 2015 to provide students with a dynamic, industry-relevant learning experience, with practical skills and knowledge to thrive in a data-driven world. UNSW Business School awards both undergraduate and post graduate students certificates in Business Analytics, recognising students' experience using SAS software to explore real-world datasets and further develop skills in data analysis.

Jacky Mo is the Postgraduate Coordinator and Stream Lead for Business Analytics at the School of Information Systems and Technology Management, UNSW Business School and says that the practical nature of the collaboration with SAS is what sets it apart. “The SAS Academic Program enhances the employability of our graduates by providing them with hands-on experience using industry-standard analytics tools, as well as equipping them with practical skills highly valued by employers in various fields."

We have observed that our graduates have been highly successful in their careers across a range of industries, benefiting from the skills and knowledge gained through our partnership with the SAS Academic Program. Jacky Mo Postgraduate Coordinator and Stream Lead for Business Analytics School of Information Systems and Technology Management, UNSW Business School

In addition to the hands-on experience, students have benefited from an array of additional resources, including workshops, webinars, and access to industry professionals – all helping to build out the ecosystem connecting academia, graduates and organisations seeking the next generation of data and AI talent.

For Xinyi Shen, who graduated from UNSW with a Master of Commerce (Extension) in Business Analytics, the program served as the ideal bridge to a career in digital consulting.

“I majored in Business Analytics, diving deep into courses on data infrastructure, analytics, and data visualisation. These subjects equipped me with the technical skills (e.g., SQL and BI) essential for my role as a business analyst in consulting projects.

“I first encountered SAS during my degree program, where major courses like Business Analytics and Data Infrastructure were taught using the SAS Visual Analytics and SAS Enterprise products. This comprehensive exposure was pivotal in honing my skills in data analytics tools and techniques,” said Shen.

Xinyi Shen

Facts & Figures

With over

63,000

students from 132 countries

The University has placed

19th

globally for a second consecutive year in the highly regarded global QS rankings²

UNSW Business School ranked

#1

business school in Australia
by AFR BOSS consecutively in 2022 and 2023³

Shen also shared some advice on maximising the value the course offers as part of the pathway from classroom to boardroom.

“Embrace the opportunity for growth and networking. Leverage the program to develop both technical and soft skills. Engage actively with the diverse community and industry connections provided through student organisations and career events, as these will enrich your learning experience and open doors in your future career,” said Shen.

This ecosystem is a recurring theme in the collaboration with UNSW Business School and SAS working to strengthen ties, foster links with industry organisations, and enable additional collaborations that encompass data-driven research projects, internship opportunities and access to guest lectures.

When it comes to the road ahead, the UNSW Business School is focused on strengthening its position as a thought leader in data analytics education and research, aiming to contribute insights and expertise to strengthen the pipeline of data and analytics talent and make meaningful contributions not just to Australia, but wherever in the world UNSW’s alumni are.

1 UNSW spinouts ranked first in Australia for capital raised
2 UNSW Sydney retains Top 20 position in QS World University Rankings
3 UNSW again named Best Business School in Australia

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The results illustrated in this article are specific to the particular situations, business models, data input, and computing environments described herein. Each SAS customer’s experience is unique based on business and technical variables and all statements must be considered non-typical. Actual savings, results, and performance characteristics will vary depending on individual customer configurations and conditions. SAS does not guarantee or represent that every customer will achieve similar results. The only warranties for SAS products and services are those that are set forth in the express warranty statements in the written agreement for such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. Customers have shared their successes with SAS as part of an agreed-upon contractual exchange or project success summarization following a successful implementation of SAS software. Brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

Empowering with hands-on industry-standard analytics tools

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