Akshaya Narasimhan

Master of IT in Business (Financial Technology & Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2021
Founder and CEO, Emplusive Training Center
Founder and CEO, EmpACT
Data Scientist and QA Analyst, X0PA AI

MY SMU JOURNEY

While exploring various courses in the IT space, I was fascinated by the potential scope offered by data science and automation and decided to pursue a Master’s degree to obtain the domain knowledge. Singapore has always been one of my favourite countries - I was looking at universities based in Singapore with top-ranked programmes in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and my search led me to the SMU Master of IT in Business (MITB), one of the top-ranked programmes in Asia and across the globe.

MITB is the perfect programme for me. I was given the flexibility of choosing my preferred specialisation track and build the learning experience with a 6-month internship component, which was like icing on the cake. My MITB journey has been smooth, fun and filled with learning thanks to my professors from diverse backgrounds, each bringing with them a wealth of industry experience. Special thanks to these professors:

JOURNEY AFTER MITB

After graduating from SMU, I started working as a ‘Financial Planning and Analysis Specialist’ in Gyanalogy,and a ‘Data Scientist and QA Analyst’ with X0PA AI, Singapore. I am now working on developing inclusive workspace model under my organisation, Emplusive (Empowering Inclusively). My mission is to work on establishing inclusive workspaces by training the deprived sections of society. Over the past 5 years, I have trained many youths with special needs across various vocations and academic areas. I am working on this model under two establishments:

1. EMPLUSIVE TRAINING CENTER
   

   It is registered in India under the Company’s Act. The mission of the company is to provide training to the deprived sections of society including and not limited to people with physical impairment, people with special needs, orphans etc. and undertake other related activities with an aim to empower them. I have conducted a Certificate in Data Analysis in Python course for over 40+ students in collaboration with an NGO based at India. I got an opportunity to train industry professionals and college students. Currently I am training 50 youth with special needs in MS Office skills. The next step is to train selected students with special needs in the field of data entry and data analysis. I received the following awards this year:

   • Best Special Educator 2021 by SK Educare at 3rd International EduX ICON Award
   • Special Educator of the Year 2021 by Educacio World at Virtual International Edu Conclave & Award
   • Young Teacher of the Year 2021 by Educacio World at Asia Star Rating Award
2. EmpACT : EMPLUSIVE ANALYTICS AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES  
   

   This would be an epitome of inclusive workspace model wherein, the students trained under the training centre will be offered employment opportunities to work on industry led projects in the field of data entry, data analysis, graphic designing and social media creative making. We will be obtaining projects outsourced from companies in the industry who are willing to collaborate for the empowerment of the deprived sections of society.

To prospective students - MITB offers a wide array of courses in the fields of Fintech, Analytics, AI and Digital Transformation. Choose your specialisation track and courses wisely, and reach out to professors for guidance and assistance at every step. Be confident about yourself and work on achieving your dreams.

Jeremy Chia

Master of IT in Business (Financial Technology & Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2020
Doctor of Philosophy (Information Systems & Management) Candidate, Singapore Management University

With a background in engineering and having worked in the financial services sector, I was looking for a postgraduate programme to expand my knowledge of fields related to my current areas of professional interest–Data Analytics, Finance, Strategy and Technology. Among the numerous and varied postgraduate options considered, I felt that the versatility of the industry-focussed Master of Information Technology in Business (MITB) programme was most suitable for me as it allowed me to build upon my background and work experience.

MITB combines discipline-specific, advanced technical coursework with easily transferrable skills like critical thinking, analytic ability, and strategic planning to give me the competitive advantage that I believe exists at the convergence of knowledge in the areas of data analytics, technology, and business. Beyond just professional development, MITB has also given me the opportunity to foster many meaningful relationships with my classmates and professors from diverse backgrounds, career stages, industries and nationalities–many of whom have shared with me insightful perspectives and interesting conversations.

While it might be challenging at times to find a balance between work, study and social life, I do believe that the journey itself is one worth taking. To those who are considering embarking on your postgraduate journey, I leave with you a favourite quote of mine:

Many thanks to my professors, staff and fellow classmates who have helped, supported and been a part of my MITB journey. Special thanks to the following professors whom I have taken multiple modules with and those who have encouraged me to pursue my further studies in the area of Information Systems and Management:

Dr Patrick Thng
Digital Banking and FinTech, Strategy and Organization

• In the current Fourth Industrial Revolution with significant disruptions caused by Fintech start-ups, the financial services industry is undergoing a paradigm shift. Understanding Fintech innovations and their transformational impacts in business in the Digital Banking and FinTech course, combined with Strategy and Organisation course’s theoretical and practical approaches in strategic analysis, formulation and execution taught by Dr Patrick, have helped me to navigate the turbulent impact of technological innovation in any industry.
• Dr Patrick has an immense wealth of industry knowledge and experience. The numerous case studies and industry examples he shared and discussed with us have greatly aided me in my understanding of the subject matter and my ability to apply what was taught in various business case scenarios and projects. His ability to simplify complex concepts in bite-size understandable topics coupled with his sense of intellect and humour has motivated me to be a life-long learner.
• I was also very fortunate to have the opportunity to be his Graduate Research Assistant (Strategy and Organization) in developing an innovative and impactful blended learning module "Corporate Strategy: Vertical Integration and Diversification" for the Masters programme.

Prof Kam Tin Seong
Data Analytics Lab, Visual Analytics and Applications

• Prof Kam is truly passionate about data analytics techniques and data-driven business knowledge discovery, anchored by principles, concepts, methods and best practices from both statistics and data mining. Building upon the foundations learnt in Data Analytics Lab, his module in Visual Analytics and Applications teaches students how to interact with the visual representation of business data and to detect meaningful patterns, trends and exceptions.
• Beyond data analytics and its visual representation, Prof Kam’s modules taught me to learn how to learn, the importance of perseverance and project/time-management.

Prof Paul Robert Griffin
Corporate Banking and Blockchain, Capstone Project: Distributed Ledger Technology / Smart Contracts

• Prof Paul‘s Corporate Banking and Blockchain course had the perfect blend of theory and industry-application. There were opportunities for hands-on experience on smart contract development in Solidity language and prominent guest lecturers like Mr. Satheesh Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kratos Innovation Labs, which has developed commercially ready blockchain and smart contract solutions.
• I thoroughly enjoyed the discussions I shared with Prof Paul during my Capstone Project. Under his guidance, I was able to integrate and apply what I have learnt (both within and outside the classroom setting) to solve industry challenges in a holistic manner by considering both the technological and business aspects of a Distributed Ledger Technology system design.

Jordan Lim Zhen Yang

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2020
Senior Consultant, Oliver Wyman

MITB has been insightful in the areas of digitalisation, analytics and business, with the curriculum providing clear thought leadership on the amalgamation and complementary nature of the aforementioned areas. As technology is playing an increasing role in today’s world, I am able to leverage the skills and knowledge that MITB has equipped me in my career.

Personally, what makes MITB a great place for learning is the diverse set of backgrounds and specialties the professors come from, each bringing with them a wealth of experience and expertise. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning from like-minded peers through group projects.

Ankit Dev

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Director, Standard Chartered Bank

Pursuing MITB as a part-time student was a rewarding and enjoyable experience for me, and I have been able to apply the learnings to meet the changing needs of my job. MITB offers a comprehensive choice of courses that are relevant to the current market trend. In addition, our MITB professors are industry practitioners and veterans who provide students with relevant, real-world scenario learning.

SMU's campus location is situated at the heart of the Central Business District, and getting around is relatively quick and easy. This reduced travel time allows more time for part-time students like me who are juggling work and studies.

For those who are planning to work in the Banking & Finance/FinTech industry, I would recommend you to consider the MITB (FinTech & Analytics) programme. Prior work experience would greatly aid you to understand the concepts better.

Fu Yi

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2019
Product Delivery Lead, Leading Multinational Bank

The MITB journey has been a marvellous and transformative experience for me. Looking back, I started out as a fresh graduate from a non-IT background, from ground zero – my decision to join MITB has opened doors for a whole range of opportunities in the world of technology and business, which eventually led me to a career in FinTech.

The MITB curriculum is holistic and diverse, designed to be practice-based and placed in the context of real world examples and case studies. Not only has MITB trained me in deep thinking and strategy, it has also strengthened my public speaking skills. Courses are delivered by faculty members who are industry practitioners with a wealth of experience. They provide real-world perspectives and incorporate industry knowledge in their teaching, and often inspire us in finding innovative solutions to break through business bottlenecks.

I especially appreciate the programme’s internship component, which I was given the opportunity to apply what I have learnt to real-world working experience. It has certainly helped ease my transition from student to corporate life.

This journey is not easy but definitely fulfilling. Be driven, be passionate about learning and never give up, even when the going gets tough. At the end of the day, you will be surprised at how far you can go.

Soo Zhi Kai

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2019
Country Regulatory Advisory & Project, Maybank Singapore Limited

Attending graduate school was the furthest thing on my mind upon completion of my undergraduate studies. However, after 3 years in the public sector, I felt the need to acquire the knowledge and skills to analyse and validate hypothesis with data. Studying through the various data-related courses across local institutions, I quickly set my mind on MITB as the course focuses not only on technical knowledge but also on application to satisfy business needs.

MITB is a demanding program but the support from instructors is splendid and they are willing to go the extra mile if you are willing to learn. Special shoutout to:

Prof Kam Tin Seong – His crazy, really crazy, assignments in Data Analytics Lab during my first semester came as a total shock. Though my course mates and I constantly whined over the assignments, we bonded well (through Prof Kam’s Tough-Love) and having to tackle the questions accelerated my analytics skills. The positive impact from Data Analytics Lab made me take up Visual Analytics, and it has served me well since entering the Financial Industry.

Prof Paul Robert Griffin – The classes covered lots of case studies and application of Blockchain and Smart contracts in Corporate Banking. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution gaining traction around the globe, the course puts the latest development into perspective with hands-on practice.

Mr Patrick Thng – Patrick has the knack of keeping students engaged throughout seminars and the strategy simulation allows instant application of the theories taught in class. The sharing of his work and life experience in Strategy & Organization adds spice to the development of soft skills required to navigate the corporate setting.

Apart from the teaching faculty, the Post-grad Career Services Advisors also play a key role in preparing you for your next career. There are many engagement sessions with industry speakers to learn about the nuances of different industries and I am sure you will be able to come across a role that is of appropriate fit. It was during one of the sessions where I met my current boss.

Juggling studies with a full-time job is never easy but looking back, my MITB journey has been nothing short of amazing. Not only has MITB imparted me with data analytics skillsets, it has also imbued in me the tenacity to learn and acquire new knowledge.

To prospective students: venture out of your comfort zone and take the leap of faith. Be receptive of positive and negative feedback, as well as fresh concepts and ideas — this will lead you in developing as a better team player and competent professional.

Joel Ng

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Investment Engineer, Arisaig Partners Investment Managers

Working through MITB as a part-time student has been particularly meaningful as I've been able to embark on relevant courses to directly meet the changing needs of my job, so MITB's content has certainly boosted my confidence and ability to lead and guide my colleagues in even the most technical of matters. The engaging group projects also allowed me to meet and work with a wide mix of individuals from various geographies and life stages, broadening my view of the world of Financial Services and Analytics. Our MITB professors and instructors are, more often than not, also practitioners of their domain in the marketplace, which means that their anecdotes and approach is theory tempered with pragmatism of what does and doesn't work in the real world. That said, if you're considering embarking on the MITB journey, I'd advise not to rush into it fresh out of your bachelor's degree - there's a lot of content and depth to be mined from the course content and instructors, so a few years of experience in the working world helps make the problems and solutions discussed in class more salient and puts one in a more mature frame of mind to see the application of the solutions to real-world problems.

Vo Thanh Trung (Tom)

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2019 (expected)
Head of Derivatives Clearing and Collateral

It all started with The Terminator 2: Judgment Day. I was since obsessed by the idea that one day, machine would take over the world. The last straw was Mr Elon Musk’s comment that “Artificial intelligence is our biggest existential threat”. There are a lot of underlying meaning and assumptions in that statement and I have since decided to learn more about technology. Before the machine takes over me, I need to know how to manage it. And since I enjoy being in the financial services sector, I have decided to pursue the Master of IT in Business (Financial Services Analytics) programme.

The program fits my needs with the appropriate level of depth and breadth. You need to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty with coding in R, Python and Java. You get the chance to learn and be proficient in statistical and machine learning tools. As this is not a hard-core computer science course, a person with no background in coding will also be able to learn and adapt after some time. However, this journey was not an easy ride for me. The learning curve was steep and there were times when I had many sleepless nights, but it was all worth it.

This program also covers a broad spectrum of frameworks, strategies and other general management skills. These are important exposure for mid-level managers who want to hone their skills in IT management.

What I appreciate most about the program are the professors. Not only are they knowledgeable in the field, they are carrying with them years of industry practices and experience. This is extremely important because you want to have someone who is always ready to guide and coach you when you hit a plateau or roadblock. And in order to do so, professors must have a deep knowledge and experience in this field.

I would definitely recommend this program to prospective students. How can one maximize the returns? Make full use of the MITB programme resources: read all materials, ask all questions, plan big projects, attend industry seminars, connect with fellow students and industry players. It's tough and a lot of pain, but it will be worth it.

Ye Chucheng (Chloe)

Master of IT in Business (Financial Technology)
Graduation Class of 2016

Shopee Singapore
Business Intelligence Analyst

Enrolling in MITB was a life changing decision for me. After working for 2 years in the public sector in China, I was planning to equip myself with technical knowledge and analytical mindset to be able to fit better in a fast changing world. MITB was a perfect program for me. The courses include technical fundamental knowledge in practical world and data analytics skill in business context, which are suitable for a non-technical background student like me. I got my current job and even changed my future career path after studying in MITB. It helped me discover my true interest in my career.

Yan Yang Yang

2014 Spring PKU-MITB first Batch
Graduation Class of 2015
Strategic Account Manager
SS&C Technology (Hong Kong)

I am Yan YangYang, graduated from the first batch of PKU-MITB (Financial Services) program. I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree of Law from CYU and a double Bachelor’s Degree of Economics from PKU. When I look back at the program after 3 years of working experiences in Financial Services industry, I realize that I had made a right choice and it was a truly positive and pleasant journey.

The program is meaningful and helpful not only for its wide coverage of key concepts, tools and framework in financial services industry, but also the direct access to financial industrial leaders and practices, which make us more competitive in the job market. It equipped me with all the necessary knowledge and skills to develop a long-term career in this innovative, fast-paced and tech-driven financial world.

As part of the program, I interned in a leading international bank as a Process Improvement Analysis for six months. My job duty was to improve business process using Lean IT methodology across the infrastructure team. The internship gave me the chance to apply the concepts and methods from classroom to daily business processes.

I enjoyed learning and growing together with a group of talented classmates in the program. I still remember all the late nights, the early mornings, and the inspiring discussions. We developed life-long friendship through this experience, and some of my classmates even become my colleagues today.

Our professors in the program are also unforgettable. They are knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated mentors. Many of them are from senior positions in financial industry. They always provided industrial insights based on first-hand experiences and observations, which is very valuable for graduates like me to get a deeper understanding of the real world.

For prospective students wishing to enroll into this program, I would suggest them to embrace the double challenges of intensive coursework as well as demanding internship, both of which can be precious take-away from this program. It would also be important to keep on exploring what is your competitive advantage in the industry and which specific area you would like to become a specialist in the long run. Study with an eye on future, you will find yourself closer and closer to your dream.

Paolo De Guzman

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2017
Test Lead, Pactera Singapore

Before coming to Singapore for the Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme, I was working in the telecommunications industry and had no formal knowledge of the Banking and Financial Services industry. In my perspective, banks are only a place to deposit money or take a loan from.

I pursued the MITB programme because I wanted to transition into Financial Technology and Operations. The programme offered business and technical training which gave students a holistic understanding of the industry. Under the mentorship of seasoned banking leaders, the courses are designed to be interactive and relevant to the industry’s current practices. Students were given the chance to use actual banking systems to design products and get a feel of how banks operate.

As part of the programme, students were also given the opportunity to work with leading firms and apply the knowledge they have learned in the classroom. For my internship, I chose to work with a Leading Asian Private Bank in their Business Management Support team. I was given a Business Analyst role in which I supported initiatives on their Avaloq Wealth platform. During my 6 months stay, I had the chance to meet members of the front, middle, and back offices who were generous to share their expertise on the domain they are working on.

The MITB programme has helped me jumpstart my career here in Singapore. I am now working for a technology consulting company and currently deployed in a top private bank. MITB has given me foundational knowledge that enabled me to quickly take on my role. I highly recommend it to anyone who has relevant work experience or to those looking to transition into the industry.

Surabhi Jain

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2017
Senior Bank Officer, Citibank Singapore Limited

After having spent nearly 2 years as a financial analyst in India I came to Asia’s financial hub, Singapore, with an aim to further enhance my knowledge and skillset. I am happy that I made a correct choice by opting for MITB-(Financial Services) track. Through its extensive class room training and industry attachments MITB opened up various avenues for me to learn from experts and become better at what I do.

I interned with Citibank Singapore Limited for 6 months in the Payment Services unit. Having no experience in the past in this area it was indeed a challenging task for me. I chose to put in extra efforts and never hesitated to ask questions. This really helped me to understand the underlying concepts. I was lucky to have been able to apply my current learnings from MITB in to my day to day work at Citibank.

I was involved in various projects/tasks in the Payment Services Unit, this gave me an opportunity to look across the spectrum and get a high level view of how things actually work behind the scenes. For a customer it might be a simple process to deposit a cheque and have the amount credited in his account but it is easier said than done. Such an understanding is really important for anyone looking to pursue career in financial services industry.

MITB (Financial Services) is a well-designed tailor-made course which touches on almost every aspect of financial services in the current financial world. As the name suggests it is a perfect blend of Information Technology and Business which I believe is a combination not available so easily in other universities. Every course from the curriculum empowered me with the much needed knowledge to fulfil my duties at Citibank. I am deeply thankful to all my MITB teachers who always used innovative methods and real life examples to help us learn the concepts during class sessions.

I would not cease to extend my gratitude to my colleagues and seniors at Citibank for being so supportive and helpful. I am grateful to my managers to have always acknowledged my work and provide continuous guidance. I have accepted the offer to continue with Citibank as an associate within the payment Services Unit and I really look forward to learn more and at the same time support the bank to achieve its goals.

Zhang Ying Ying

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2016
Test Analyst, DBS Bank

I’m ZHANG Yingying (MITB-FS, Jan15 intake) from China. Before MITB, I completed my bachelor of Economics in Shanghai, after which I started working as a marketing specialist for Lenovo (China), primarily interacting with the core marketing and sales teams. But since a long time, I had always been fascinated by the world of banking and finance. The conventional career path for me would be to do an MBA from a reputed college. But rather than choosing the obvious path, I took the road less travelled and decided to pursue my post graduate degree with MITB, as it combined the best of financial services & technology, which is a huge advantage for someone with my background.

Currently I am working as a Test Analyst with DBS bank, on cards and unsecured loans approval project. My primary duty is to ensure that the new systems being implemented for DBS card customers work seamlessly so that clients do not face any difficulties while using DBS cards. The project is huge, as it comprises of several aspects such as new customers onboarding, product applications and personal loan applications. For a person of my profile, this opportunity is a great experience as it has helped me understand the cards & loans segment of a bank, how it works, and what goes on behind in working and maintaining such complex systems.

MITB has helped introduce me to finance and banking industry of which I had limited knowledge about previously. It helps me appreciate finance and financial services industry from a technical point of view. Studying MITB courses as well as working on academic projects and assignments have armed me with knowledge and extensive work experience both functionally and technically.

Speaking of projects, MITB courses offer great hands on experience and great learning opportunities to understand in depth the topics being covered. From creating a home loan approval application system to working on something as complex as market sentiment index for trading purpose, these projects cover the whole array of the banking and financial spectrum. Another great feature is the people you work with in these projects. You get to interact with people from different cultures and nationalities, and experience working in a global environment.

The professors are well experienced in their line of work and have a deep knowledge of their subjects. It was my pleasure being taught by these highly experienced teachers who are able to make learning effective, easy and fun. One could easily approach any professor to help them with any problems/doubts and the professors would happily answer them for you. MITB professors are dedicated to up keeping the quality of education within SMU.

For prospective incoming students, two things are very important to fully enjoy and benefit from MITB project.

1. Always be prepared to step out of your comfort zone, as it will help you grow and nuture in a global environment
2. Be open and accepting of new ideas, as you never know when a good opportunity might come knocking down on your door

Zhou Yu

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2015
FI Product Manager, Chong Hing Bank

Equipped with in-depth and practical knowledge

“The SMU MITB programme has been a rewarding and enriching experience for me. With inputs from over 60 industry experts, MITB (Financial Services)’s curriculum has equipped me with in-depth and practical knowledge of business methods and management concepts for the Technology and Operations (T&O) group.”

While scouting around for an institution to help further her insights in applying IT into financial services, Zhou Yu chose SMU’s MITB over other institutions including the University of Cambridge (UK).

Zhou Yu enjoyed the blended learning of the MITB curriculum which combines online and in-class instructions, experiential learning through hands-on lab exercises and case analysis developed from actual business cases.

Her six-month MITB internship with a management consulting firm exposed her to a real-life project of Internet banking implementation. During the internship project, she learnt how to discover pain points from her clients’ perspective, propose cost-effective solutions and deliver a convincing business case.

“The experience has been beneficial and has boosted my confidence to deal with complexity, sharpened my analytical skills and enhanced my teamwork and leadership attributes.” said Zhou Yu.

Tang Du

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2015
Project Manager in DTBC, Controlling Efficiency Improvement Project at Daimler Trucks and Buses China Ltd.

Positioned with a competitive edge

“The management skills and knowledge that I have acquired through the duration of the course will give me a competitive edge in my career. To those keen to excel in this programme, my advice is to be committed and receptive to the new experience.”

The proliferation of IT in process management and algorithm systems has placed the spotlight on acquiring the relevant skill sets in this field. After comparing several programmes from renowned institutions globally like UCLA and NUS, Tang Du chose the SMU MITB because of its comprehensive curriculum, internship opportunities, and the fact that it did not disqualify those who did not have prior IT knowledge.

He gained practical knowledge and soft skills from the workshops, assignments and internship. He also benefited from the lively interactions among classmates, thought-provoking lectures and the diverse SMU community.

Shantanu Mitra

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2015
Assistant Manager, Citibank

Successful conversion from internship to full-time employment

“I joined MITB (Financial Services) with an IT background and very little knowledge about how banking systems work. These concepts gave me the confidence to do well at work. The professors in my MITB classes gave real work scenarios that were very insightful and the lessons that I learnt in class are directly applicable to what I do in my work environment.”

During the course of his MITB programme, Shantanu took on an internship role at DBS which required him to step out of his pure IT comfort zone. It was during the times of performing requirements gathering for projects and interacting with clients that he found himself applying the soft skills and banking knowledge attained during the MITB (Financial Services) course. Soon enough, he found himself delivering results for the organisation.

“I was fortunate to attend the 'FS Operations Risk I & II' course during my MITB program when our professor Enoch Ch'ng gave an advice during one of his classes, where he said "No, is a career limiting word" , and this has stuck with me. To this end, I am very grateful to my professors, managers, and mentors for the opportunities given to me,” said Shantanu.

Ankit Raj Mohapatra

Master of IT in Business (Financial Services)
Graduation Class of 2015
Project Manager, Global Consumer Group, Citibank

Preparing for a dynamic world of financial services

“The rigorous cycle of applying what we have learnt during our internship as well as the numerous projects, assignments and presentations prepares us to face the dynamic world of financial services.”

Under the MITB internship module, Ankit started interning at Citibank with the Project Management office in the Consumer Banking Space. His team managed key projects at the bank and was responsible for the infrastructure delivery of the projects and programmes.

Having prior working experience in IT Infrastructure Technology for 3.5 years, the internship became a logical extension of his previous work experience and learning journey at SMU. The team manager offered him the position of Project Manager at the same office during his 4th month of internship.

Ankit’s internship began early in the course and hence, he could apply his newfound knowledge into his job as a Project Manager. He faced initial challenges as he had to relate to the day-to-day issues of managing people in addition to playing a functional role, but overcame them well.

Kendra Gadong

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2022 (Expected)
Richard Lim Lee Scholarship Recipient (AY2020)
Regional Operations Associate at Shopee

The reason why I pursued the SMU Master of IT in Business (MITB) Analytics programme was to upskill my data analytical skills with my background in statistics. What makes SMU different is that students are developed holistically and trained to be industry-ready, in addition to a rigorous academic curriculum. With the guidance of Professor Michelle Cheong, our team’s paper (ID 852: Singapore Airlines: Profit Recovery and Aircraft Allocation Models during the COVID-19 Pandemic) was accepted for presentation and publication at the 11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM) held in Singapore on March 7-11, 2021. Through professional development workshops, I have acquired leadership skills not taught in classrooms. The guidance and support provided by the SMU Postgraduate Career Services have also helped me land a full-time job here in Singapore.

I attended the SMU Masters Roadshow in Manila back in 2020, and joining the MITB programme was one of the best decisions that I have made. SMU offers the Richard Lim Lee Scholarship that provides financial support for eligible Filipino students pursuing the MITB programme, and it is such a great honour to be awarded the Richard Lim Lee Scholarship to pursue my postgraduate studies as an international student.

Akash Khowala

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2021
Associate, BlackRock

MITB has been a lucky charm for me – after all who doesn’t like a full-time offer within a couple of months of joining the course and relocating to Singapore. MITB impressed me from the outset for its blended techno-management offerings with a super diverse set of modules in the field of technology, business and more importantly their amalgamation. The MITB learnings expose students to some of the very widely used skills in the industry but more importantly engraves the foundations on how to approach a problem statement. Specialising in the analytics track has opened many doors in terms of leveraging the power of data and transforming mindsets towards data driven decision making in various aspects of my current role.

It is worth mentioning that the part-time path of MITB course is no different from their full-time offering. The instructors respect the work hours, and the curriculum is well designed to maintain a fine balance between work and academics. In fact, the best part is that you get to apply your knowledge to more practical aspects of work which helps expand your domain.

My advice to students would be to seize opportunities at any time you see them coming your way, rather than waiting for the perfect time to grasp it. Also, don’t shy away from leveraging on the solid platform which SMU provides and network with as many folks as possible, it will only help you learn and grow.

In a nutshell, if you are looking for a programme which offers great faculty, solid technical skills and management exposure supplemented with SMU’s expertise in practical applied learning, MITB might be the right fit for you!

Lee Pei Zhi

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2021
Project Management Data Lead,
Amazon Web Services

At some point in my career journey, I discovered my passion for data analytics. While on-the-job training provided me the necessary domain-specific knowledge in understanding the business side of analytics, I found myself lacking in technical skills and core competencies in analytical techniques.

Having gone through the rigour of the SMU education framework back in my undergraduate days, I found that I had immensely benefited from the SMU approach and decided to select SMU again for my Masters degree.

My expectations throughout my MITB journey were exceeded oftentimes. The modules covered a range of technical skills such as SQL, R, Python, as well as provided opportunities for business applications through SMU-X projects. The curriculum also included interesting and relevant electives such as IoT and cybersecurity.

I thoroughly enjoyed the modules I enrolled in. For example, Operations Analytics under Prof Michelle gave me a strong foundation in forecasting techniques and an appreciation of supply chain management. Visual Analytics under Prof Kam enabled me to build up a useful Tableau portfolio.

am excited to be able to use the new skills and knowledge in my new role at AWS.

Joshua Lam

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2021
Senior Research Scientist, Research Collaborations & Analytics
Health Promotion Board

The MITB programme’s technical coursework, combined with courses on highly transferable skills such as project management, was truly enriching and relevant for the industry. More importantly, I enjoyed the close interaction with faculty members—many of whom possess a wealth of industry experience and we get to learn their perspectives of the latest trends in the industry.

I was truly blessed with the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for Dr. Patrick Thng for the “Strategy and Organisation” course, and a research assistant for Mr. Venkat Narayanan for the “Analytics Framework & Business Context” course. My interactions and discussions with faculty members during my time in these roles have truly expanded my worldview. I also took on the role as a data analyst in a six-sigma project on SMU facilities booking management, working closely alongside SCIS faculty Associate Professor Kam Tin Seong, and Ms. Cristina Elaurza from SMU’s Office of Business Improvement.

I would also like to thank the SMU Career Services Team, especially career coach Ms. Dawn Tan who took time to share with me how career paths in different industries would look like based on her experience with industry practitioners and students. The coaches from various career workshops were highly skilled and gave great feedback on how to succeed in different industries.

Last but not least, the eclectic mix of students from various nationalities and career backgrounds birthed many new friendships and interesting conversations, both within and outside the classroom. The MITB programme challenges each student to broaden their worldview while building a firm grounding to take on an active role in the future digital economy. If you are not afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone, consider joining the MITB programme!

Catherine Leo

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2021
Collins Aerospace
Supplier Performance

Having graduated with an Aerospace Engineering degree and worked in the aerospace industry for almost seven years, I wanted to upskill myself in other areas such as Data Analytics. Despite having no experience in IT or analytics, I took the plunge to enrol in the Master of IT in Business (MITB) at SMU as a part-time student. Although it has been a very arduous journey having to juggle between work, family and part-time studies, it was an enriching experience as I learnt various analytical skills from the friendly and knowledgeable faculty.

The best part of the course includes the opportunity to meet and work with people from different industries and backgrounds, as there is a great emphasis on project work for every course on top of theoretical concepts that are being imparted. At the same time, I had the opportunity to work on a capstone project over a period of 10 months, which gave me first-hand experience in dealing with real-world analytics problems.

The SMU Career Services team also provided invaluable advice on resume writing, so I could sharpen my resume to highlight skills andknowledge gained throughout the programme.

My advice to prospective students – do not allow the lack of IT experience deter you from pursuing MITB, as the programme is structured to slowly build your skills and confidence before delving into the more technical aspects.

Tristan Lim

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2020
Doctor of Engineering (EngD) Candidate
Singapore Management University

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue the MITB programme at SMU.

The SMU MITB programme is highly reputed, with world-class faculty members that students come to appreciate soon after entering the programme. My peers from MITB come from a wide variety of geographies, industries, job functions and backgrounds. Classes are highly stimulating, with sharing from highly motivated peers with diverse perspectives and experiences. The MITB community is a tremendous resource of networking opportunities – students share events, competitions and career opportunities that may arise within their respective fields. Owing to MITB’s strong industry connections and successful internship programme, I came to know a handful of classmates who have made successful career switches to technology companies, as well as technology roles in banks,  government sectors, and consultancy houses. Personally, I teach and research in a higher education institution in Singapore, and I am also happy to share that one of my MITB peers had successfully made the transition to join me as a colleague. 

MITB provides an excellent academic experience. Its flexible curriculum covers a broad spectrum of areas that meet diverse career aspirations. Students build deep domain expertise in areas such as analytics and digital transformation. In the classroom, students experience project-based, case-based, and experiential-based curriculum. Students also learn to practise, simulate and make tough decisions based on the insights derived that drive impact and address complex, multi-dimensional problems.

MITB has strengthened my working knowledge in multiple vertical domain areas. During my course of study, I investigated new frontiers in multiple domains, and authored original research in various journals as well as conference publications alongside impressive MITB professors and peers. In 2019, I co-authored an IoT paper with Dr. Tan Hwee Pink (who subsequently joined Health Promotion Broad as a Research Director) at the IEEE 2019 International Conference on Engineering Technology and Technopreneurship. In 2020, I co-authored a financial analytics paper with Dr. Aldy Gunawan which was published in The Journal of Financial Data Science. In early 2021, I authored a FinTech outsourcing graduate paper supervised by Dr. Patrick Thng, which won second place for Best Graduate Paper Award at the IEOM 2021 11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. These showcased the incredible minds at MITB who are willing to challenge new frontiers with original research, and the collegial SMU environment which brought collaborative spirit to the fore.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my professors and peers who have supported and encouraged me to further myself in this incredible journey with SMU.

Andre Eu

Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Graduation Class of 2020
Senior Engineer, Continental Automotive Singapore

With the ever-changing landscape towards digitalisation and Singapore’s movement towards a smart nation city, I decided to reskill and pursue my postgraduate studies with SMU’s MITB Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme. MITB has provided me with the fundamental skills and concepts in AI and Machine Learning (ML), so I could move on to grasp the advanced concepts and dive deeper into state-of-the-art algorithms and models. The programme has not only allowed me to gain insights from the AI and ML realm, but also important concepts in Data Engineering, Analytics and implementation in specific areas such as Text Analytics. The professors, instructors and international classmates have made MITB a rewarding and fulfilling journey. The programme has also trained us to be more confident, enabling us to formulate business cases and implement AI solutions to real-world problems.

Siew Wai Yin

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Recipient of SAS Scholarship
Graduation Class of 2020
Associate, Citibank International Personal Bank (IPB) Singapore

My path to SMU MITB was not linear, and I was excited to see where the road would take me. Without prior experience in technical subjects, I was looking to challenge myself and pick up a new domain–data analytics. I chose SMU MITB for its strong presence in the region and had expectations for an interesting analytics curriculum which focused on business applicability.

MITB was intense with every module designed with group projects and exams to enhance our learning journey. A highlight of MITB was the opportunity to work on a Capstone project.

For my Capstone project, I designed a hedonic pricing model to understand and describe the effects of upgrading property on the value of real estate. The objective of the Capstone project was to identify the factors and characteristics which would influence property resale pricing. With the guidance of Professor Kam Tin Seong, we utilized SAS Viya for data visualization and model analysis.

After graduating from SMU MITB, I accepted a position at Citibank International Personal Bank (IPB) Singapore under their Associate Programme. As a Citibank IPB Associate, I have had the opportunity to learn and contribute across diverse business units, such as Business Intelligence, Strategic Alliance, and Wealth Management.

Ryan Tan Yi Hon

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Current Student
Associate, Data and Analytics
Ernst & Young

What I appreciate about MITB is that its programme is well structured and comprehensive, providing an effective pathway into a career in data analytics. Coming from a background with limited knowledge in the field, the rigour of the MITB modules provided me with many new insights and equipped me with the relevant skillsets needed to contribute in the workplace. 

I really value the passion and dedication of the professors, along with the learning experiences fostered amongst students coming from diverse backgrounds through the multiple group projects and class interactions. Furthermore, the continuous support from the Career Services Team and MITB’s internship opportunities allowed me to break into the industry. Technology is advancing quickly and joining the MITB programme is definitely worth it if you are willing to work hard and looking to pursue a career in this field. 

Kevin Kyle Gaerlan

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Current Student
Richard Lim Lee Scholarship Recipient (AY2019)

When I first moved to Singapore for my postgraduate degree, I never knew what to expect. I asked myself if I did the right thing as this is a completely different environment from what I am used to. However, having been in the MITB programme for just 2 months, I already know that this is one of the best decisions I have made. The programme equips me with the analytical expertise and business strategies that will be useful for my future career. In addition, my professors are passionate and excellent in all they do. They teach, guide and allow you space to grow and discover on your own. My classmates come from different parts of the world and my interactions with them have broadened my perspectives and deepened my knowledge.

Further, SMU offers the Richard Lim Lee Scholarship (exclusive to Filipinos). Being a recipient of the Richard Lim Lee Scholarship, I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from him. I am quite confident that after meeting him, you will also feel motivated to do your best and be inspired to help others who are in need.

If you are unsure of which path to take but are passionate about understanding data, getting insights, and translating these into business needs, the MITB programme is for you. While I know that this MITB journey is not going to be easy, I believe that it will really groom you personally and professionally.

Michael Cheong

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2019
Senior Geospatial Analyst, GOJEK Singapore

According to Brian Herbert, "The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice."

Yes, I made the choice to embark on a 2-year MITB (Analytics) programme as a part-time postgraduate student. MITB offers courses that expose me to various core analytics paradigm such as Data Analytics Lab, Machine Learning, Text Mining, Customer Analytics, Digital Payments & Fraud Analytics, etc. Course contents are closely linked to real-world business scenarios. What’s more interesting is that professors bring their valuable industry experience to seminar discussions, and our assignments/projects are designed to sharpen the analytical skills that challenge us to think out of the box. MITB has played a significant role in allowing me to further enhance my data science skills.

If you are considering to broaden your horizon at SMU MITB and possess the skills mentioned above, go for it. Have the courage to try and be brave enough to make and learn from mistakes. All the best!

Yew Teik Kheng

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2019 (Expected)
Data Scientist, AirAsia

Taking a break from work to enrol myself in the full-time MITB programme from SMU was one of the most difficult decisions I have made, but it is also one of the most fulfilling chapters in my life. Coming from an engineering background in the offshore & marine industry, I had minimal training in programming and data analytics. However, the MITB programme offers a breadth of courses including foundational ones such as Data Analytics Lab, Applied Statistical Analysis and Spreadsheet Modelling, which helped to build my foundation for advanced courses such as Applied Machine Learning and Operations Analytics. Besides analytical courses, MITB also offers other domain-specific courses such as Big Data, Cybersecurity and IoT Technology, which are very relevant in the current technology landscape today. With a wide variety of courses offered, students are given the flexibility in choosing courses based on their interests, as well as their career aspirations. What I like most about the programme is the focus on group projects with an emphasis on business use cases with real-world applications. Through this, I had the opportunity to work with course mates from different work backgrounds and I appreciate the different perspectives brought to the table. Thanks to the MITB programme, I was able to make a career switch from project management to data science by landing a role as a Data Scientist with AirAsia. Therefore, I would highly recommend this programme to anyone who wants to venture into the world of data analytics, regardless of your background and career stage.

Ryan Chia

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Reporting & Data Analytics Specialist, UBS

The SMU MITB programme is a significant milestone in my life. After graduating with a degree in Computer Science, I worked for several years in Information Technology professions within the financial industry. I was keen on expanding my knowledge in business as well as deepen my expertise in the field of data, having noticed its increasing influence in the industry. The MITB programme offers a good balance of technical and business knowledge through the widespread selection of modules offered and industry-experienced professors. Most importantly, the course provides a good blend of course-mates, whose stories add a diverse perspective to the learning experience. A point I found note-worthy, was the ability to shape your MITB journey to suit your needs; barring the mandatory modules, which provide the foundational knowledge. I will certainly recommend the course to those seeking to venture into the space of Data Analytics. Enjoy the learning process, build new friendships, and see you all in the industry!

Joanna Quek

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2019
BI Analyst, GOJEK Singapore

MITB has provided me with the necessary skill set of analytical tools and techniques as I embark on my new career in data science. The professors not only cover key concepts but also challenge us to think out of the box with our projects to prepare us for the industry. SMU career services has also helped me tremendously during my job search and equipped me with the essential communication and negotiation skills to navigate through interviews and analyse my potential career path through individual coaching sessions. Looking back at how much I have grown, I know that I have definitely made the right choice to join MITB as it has opened many doors for my career. I believe that data science is not only a hot career path, but it will be an essential skill in every industry moving forward. The best investment you can ever make is in yourself, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to improve continuously.

Debasish Behera

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
R&D Scientist, The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G)

MITB is one of the best analytics programs that can be pursued in Asia. It not only gave me the flexibility to choose the subjects of my interest, but also the option of doing an internship which was a great learning experience. The faculty and up-to-date curriculum are top-notch which can rarely be seen in other programmes. My key takeaway from MITB was its curriculum which focuses on learning by doing. Courses like Data Analytics Lab, Visual Analytics & Applications, as well as Applied Machine Learning helped me to strengthen my fundamentals in machine learning, deep learning, and storytelling. All the lectures, assignments and projects played a crucial role in further enhancing my data science skills. I would not have been able to publish my new book ‘Data Science for Marketing Analytics’ without the knowledge I acquired from MITB.

Nurul Asyikeen Binte Azhar

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Data Analyst,PACE Analytics, Rio Tinto

I was an Internal Auditor specialising in processes, governance and business re-engineering at KPMG for close to 5 years when I decided to take the plunge into the analytics world. Back then, I had zero background in programming and had only my knowledge of exploratory analytics and business processes from various industries to supplement me. MITB, however, allowed me to be exposed to a breadth and depth of datasets, various analytics methodologies, programming languages, visualisation tools and analytical software in the market. The content of MITB was not only very rich and diverse, but it also ties back closely to real-world business cases. The projects in each module helped to gel all the heavy content nicely as they are centred on a business case where we had to shape the analytics problem, source for and assess adequacy of datasets to solve the analytics problem, keep in mind the stakeholders’ and end users’ requirements, ascertain the appropriate analytical methodologies and measurement of their effectiveness, evaluate the value-added recommendations yielded for the end user and finally visualise actionable results on an intuitive and interactive platform. The professors are very patient, encouraged us to always push the envelope and provided real-world analytics perspectives. They made the learning journey rigorous and meaningful. The MITB journey allowed me to make the career switch to the analytics landscape where I now get to apply the skills learnt and continuously build on them daily. If MITB entices you, keep in mind to be brave to make mistakes and learn along the way. Be open-minded in immersing yourself completely and seize any opportunities that come your way for the best learning outcome.

Anuthama Murugesan

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Apple Singapore,
WW Supply Chain Business Analyst

I chanced upon MITB at a point in time when I was exploring options to switch gears in my career. From a functional tester in the IT industry I decided to venture into the analytics space. MITB has proved to be a quick win for me (and most of my peers) as it opened doors for a whole range of opportunities. Though a strenuous year, it was one that was rewarding, where most of us started from ground zero but finished the year as proficient and skilful data analysts ready to bridge the gap between industry needs and available talent pool. The best way to learn is to take advantage of MITB assignments which are derived from real data/industry problems. Amidst the assignments, quizzes and learning, the key focus of every student is to get a job. SMU career services has a strong relationship with many companies here in Singapore. I am happy to have gotten my internship and current job through SMU and would encourage students to leverage the help from SMU career services.

Clarence Tan

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Canopy Pte Ltd.,
Senior Data Analyst

It is never easy for anyone to go back to school, much less doing it on a part-time basis while working on a full-time job. What made it more challenging was that data analytics was a completely different field from my background in accountancy. My journey with MITB had not been easy, but it was definitely worthwhile. The MITB programme has imparted me with relevant knowledge and skill sets that I needed, which I gained a lot from the programme especially during my transition from accountancy to data analytics. In addition, MITB students also get to learn the best practices from experienced professors and industry experts that will serve them well in their careers ahead.

To all MITB students - take this opportunity to learn as much as possible from the programme and expand your horizons. Never doubt your abilities and always keep learning, because education is definitely your best investment.

Jaclyn Lim Hui Ting

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Emporio Analytics,
Analytics Consultant

Undertaking a master's degree in MITB was one of the best decisions that I've made thus far. I chose MITB because it would provide me with opportunities not just to learn about analytics methodologies, but also to kickstart a career in analytics. Through the course of my studies, I had the chance to learn how analytics can play a pivotal role in businesses. I also gained exposure to a plethora of analytics fields in the course of the programme and it helped me to discover the areas that I was interested in. Although it was a strenuous year of studying and working concurrently, the academic rigour and guidance of professors, SMU Career Services and friends helped me to gain crucial skills and confidence to head out into the workplace. As such, I was able to land an exciting role as a Data Analyst in a tech startup. To current and future students of MITB, I would strongly encourage you to put in your utmost in assignments and projects and be fearless in your pursuit of learning. Do the things that scare you the most. (For me, that was coding!) And it is precisely in the place of stretching that you will grow in knowledge and understanding.

Oliver Zhuang Yan

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Business Analyst, Digital Onboarding & CRM
Saxo Capital Markets

It is not easy to get into the groove of school once you have started work—however after my journey with MITB, I have come to realise that this arduous journey is something I never regretted taking up. The MITB curriculum is well designed to cover a good range of analytics in practice, which is highly demanded in various industries right now. The skills learnt from MITB are relevant and getting increasingly valued by companies. I would encourage all MITB students to focus on the practical aspect of the courses and be well-versed in software or programming tools as much as possible. This is also the key to get employed and value-add to a company. Leveraging on the resourceful Career Services Team in SMU is important if you are embarking on a new career, and I am grateful to them in connecting me with my current employer.

Zhang Cheng Ning

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
Big Data Engineer
Grab

As my major was computer science during my undergraduate studies in China, I realized the importance of data in today’s business environment. This has led me to enroll in the SMU Master of IT in Business (Analytics) programme to learn and explore the world of data analytics.

Life in MITB was exciting and enriching. There were many opportunities to connect and exchange ideas with students from different cultural and educational backgrounds, and we have learnt a great deal from each other. Professors from the MITB programme are well-qualified, knowledgeable and experienced. All these have helped me gain a better understanding in data analytics while developing my technical capabilities in this field.

As part of the MITB programme and with the guidance of SMU’s Post-grad Career Services advisors, I landed myself an internship at Seagate as a data scientist intern. It was a good time for me to apply and integrate what I have learnt in MITB to real industry projects. During this period, I had to juggle work and study concurrently, which was a really tough time for me. However, this experience improved my skills and abilities in many ways. It has also empowered me with the confidence and skill sets I had needed for my current role in Grab as a big data engineer.

Life as an MITB student is not easy, but it is definitely a place where you can gain invaluable knowledge and skills. My advice for prospective MITB students would be to prepare yourself for the challenge. Trust the professors, put in your best efforts and get the most out of this programme, which will equip you with the expertise to enter into the world of data analytics.

Chia Yong Jian

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2017
Bachelor of Science (Information Systems Management) from Singapore Management University

I started the SMU MITB Analytics Track (AT) program in January 2016. Before embarking on the program, I worked at a financial institution as an IT analyst, and was involved in technical projects and initiatives related to risk management. Often, I had to analyze large volume of data for the business. I was intrigued by the insights and business value that can be extracted from data. Eager to delve deeper into the subject and attracted by its established program and close industry ties, I decided to pursue the SMU MITB (AT) program.

The MITB program allowed me to develop my data analytics skills broadly and deeply. The modules provided a strong understanding of data analytics fundamentals, while also giving opportunities to be exposed on a variety of topics such as Applied Machine Learning and Big Data. Coursework projects are rigorous and intensive, requiring students to collaborate closely in groups to work on real-world data problems and present the analysis in the most engaging way.

As part of the MITB (AT) program, I had an internship with Singapore Exchange (SGX), as a data and visualizations analyst. I was given the responsibility to interact directly with the product managers from the Derivatives department, and the technical team from Technology department. I developed dashboards and data queries that were used in production environment to support SGX’s new data and product initiatives. Through this internship experience, I strengthened my fundamentals in applying the most appropriate way to prepare, analyze and present data, and how I could best communicate and engage with the business users.

The beauty of the MITB (AT) program is that the data analytics skills learnt can be applied across multiple industries and roles, and thus opens new career paths and opportunities for students. I will be embarking on my new role as a Financial Analyst at Apple, and I look forward to applying my data analytics skills and knowledge to create value for the business.

A personal highlight for me of the program is the MITB faculty members. In addition to their strong industry and academic credentials, they are passionate, approachable and willing to impart more knowledge and experience to the students, often outside of their teaching hours. I am also fortunate and grateful to have worked with Professors in research initiatives that allowed me to boost my knowledge beyond the curriculum.

Reflecting on this short but intense journey in the program, I have gained much more than what I have expected. Beyond the skills and knowledge, I learnt to challenge and improve myself at each assignment and project, developed critical problem solving skills, and forged many strong friendships with my course mates from a variety of backgrounds. For prospective students, I would strongly recommend this program, as it will help to develop your career and achieve personal growth, just as what I have experienced myself.

Priyadarshini Majumdar

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2018
CEO & Co-Founder, ExploreMaps

About two years ago I graduated with a degree in Engineering from NUS, specialized in photonics and optics. This lead me to the role of a process engineer at Lumileds (a spin-off of Phillips Lighting), a company that manufactured LED lights. Life as a process engineer was less of “lights” per say and more of understanding data. The power of data and the insights gained baffled me and I was inspired to learn more. I decided to join MITB as a master’s student to further improve my knowledge in the field of analytics.

Little did I know then that my one year in MITB would be much more than just a masters course. It was more like a transformation. Back in Engineering, most of my understanding was built on the microscopic level of the physical world around us. I understood things in their “nano-level”. My world then was filled with photons, electrons, protons and Heisenberg’s principle and it was fantastic knowing them. In SMU, I was taught their application. Here I understood IT systems and their intricate link with data. How different algorithms work to categorize data points and bring out meaning. This knowledge was the other end of the spectrum. IT depends primarily on n -p junctions and just being able to link the two fields of knowledge sort of completed me or rather I’d say “gave me the aha! moments”.

When I look back, three things stand out the most in MITB: Professors, the internship, and the people in MITB. Professors in MITB aren’t just teachers who impart their knowledge, but they come with a package full of experiences. Many have held very prestigious positions in different companies and they share with you stories about how things are in the industry today: the good and the things that can be made better. These pieces of information are like gold that help you refine the understanding the industry and help yourself pitch better to your employers. The internship was my second-best experience. I was attached with SGX in their Fintech and Data team for a period of six months and in these six months I have had the closest encounter with data. I picked up two different programming languages and began to understand Financial Markets. This experience coupled with the courses taught in MITB made things complete. I remember there was a time when I was learning Big Data. I was sitting in the first row trying to imbibe everything Mr. Rithin Mathur was saying. What he was saying was fantastic and I remember being extremely attentive. The next day was my first day at SGX and my supervisor handed me their data store architecture and I could relate everything with what I had learned in Big Data. Of course, the architectures were different, but I could look at it and question why certain things were designed in that way and ask them about their failover strategy. It started there and in the next six months I had learned so much! Lastly the people who make MITB happen : the committee and administrative staff. I am always amazed how course contents change so fast and they are always keeping up with the market. It’s almost like they use agile methodology when design their courses and pitch! Haha.

I had started looking for jobs when I was in SGX. I leveraged my knowledge of financial markets and my newly developed programming skills to secure a position at Nielsen +Partner as a junior consultant. Nielsen +Partner is a German IT consulting firm that implements and customizes software for Private Banks. So my life until now after MITB has been quite exciting. I worked with two different banks on wildly different projects. I have pitched some ideas to their internal “idea lab” and developed an application on R shiny (MITB visual analytics for the win!) and all of this in just three months! The best thing about being in this company (apart from new challenges everyday) is that you feel responsible for the company like it’s your own – A feeling that’s quite rare in my experience.

For those who are considering MITB, its quite an uphill battle. If you are from the IT background, it might be a little less steep but there is effort to be put. In the end however the knowledge, understanding and confidence gained is beautiful and immensely satisfying. Here is what I tell my juniors when I meet them “You’re in for a roller coaster ride, but you will first survive it (because I did!) and then you will fall in love with it.”

Shreya Menon

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2017
Data Analyst, Google

My interest in Data analytics had piqued from a Business Intelligence class I took during my Bachelor's studies when my professor illustrated how we can use a large amount of unstructured data to draw useful insights that aid effective and informed decision making. The idea that Data science can function as a novel approach to solving complex business problems or a way to reveal new opportunities for businesses enthralled me greatly. Such first insight into how computer engineers approach real-world problems incited me to delve deeper into the field and led me to pursue MITB Analytics program at SMU.

Through MITB, I've had the opportunity to hone my skills in various successful data analytics assignments. The projects and assignments in all the modules showed me what effective use of Data Sciences could achieve.

My internship experience at Eastern Health Alliance showed me how the innovative application of data analytical concepts can have a huge impact in the real-world. During the internship, I had regular presentations with different stakeholders at EHA which helped me better understand the healthcare domain. These interactions helped me to tackle the issue of multi-faceted interpretations of the problem analysis at different levels of the organization.

The internship experience augmented my data visualization skills on how complex analysis can be represented by comprehensible forms that are easy to understand and assimilate by the business user.

I'm currently working at Google as a Data analyst for Google Play Marketing where my responsibilities are to derive actionable insights which aid in making strategic decisions for building external brand partnerships.

MITB provided me with a solid foundation in Data Analytics enabling me to learn and consistently move up my career ladder. The members of Faculty at MITB are one of the most experienced in the field of analytics and provided us the best quality of education whilst covering the large spectrum of the field within a year.

I would highly recommend this program to prospective students as it introduces them to the best of both worlds, the ever-changing Technology and the Business world. MITB has helped me build a career starting with a job in my dream company and I know it will do so for its future students.

Wang Jingxuan

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2015
Data Scientist, DataSpark

Benefiting from industry practitioners and relevant knowledge

“Most all of the professors are consulting for multinational companies, they understand what is happening on the market. The knowledge we acquire in class is needed by companies and is also the reason most of the graduates integrate seamlessly into their respective work environments when they start working.”

Data analytics has become increasingly significant and crucial. Yet in many traditional industries, not many analysts have data analytics capabilities.

During his MITB postgraduate studies at SMU, Jing Xuan learnt about the pros and cons of each method in the field of analytics, and strategies for the business environment. He opined that because the MITB professors were also industry practitioners, the knowledge imbued by the professors could be integrated easily into his working environment.

Jing Xuan’s work on geospatial analytics during his internship also landed him a job following his graduation from the programme.

Kedharnath Vellore Chandrasekaran

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2015
Senior Reporting Analyst, BNP Paribas

A career turning point

“The programme has equipped me with key skills to help organisations use data to drive business. I consider MITB to be a turning point in my career. The programme focuses not only on theoretical knowledge but also real-world applicability. The most interesting (and useful) part of the course was to have the internship.”

Most of the industries in the world are now reliant on IT systems for many functions and have realised that IT systems are pivotal for their success.

After nearly 4 years in an IT services company, Kedharnath wanted to diversify his IT skills by pursing a postgraduate programme. His search on many IT postgraduate programmes in various universities revealed their limited scope in terms of data analysis and business intelligence. One of the key considerations that he had was also the duration that allowed him to quickly re-assimilate into the workforce to apply the knowledge.

He settled for the SMU MITB and was glad to have learnt various techniques and tools necessary in data analytics. These skills could be adapted to different industries and implemented in many different ways.

Lee Wee Teck

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2015
Senior Associate, Data Science
Cognizant

An established and reputable programme

“Both the National University of Singapore as well as New York University Stern School of Business were part of my options for postgraduate studies. However, SMU has a more established programme and seemed more industry-related compared to the both of them.”

Wee Teck wanted to make a career change from operations management to data analytics. The SMU MITB (Analytics Track) gave him a good foundation in data analytics in terms of knowledge and skills and exposed him to both the latest developments in the industry as well as a network of professionals.

Through the various projects in the programme, he had to deal with new challenges and apply the skills and knowledge that he learnt through the course of his studies. Through his internship, he saw the relevance of data analytics to a company and its performance.

“My biggest takeaway has been that, data analytics is really both an art and a science; to do well in it, one needs an ensemble of hard (technical) and soft (business) skills. I think that there is a shortage of talent in this field, and that could be a reason why analytics has not caught on fully in this part of the world,” said Wee Teck.

Ajai Jose

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2015
Assistant Vice President, Data Analytics & Robotics Team
DBS Bank

Direct application and relevance to industry processes

“The deep insights that I learnt during the course could be applied to my job. It has also led me to a full-time role following my internship at the bank.”

Armed with a keen interest in Analytics, Ajai was first exposed to the field during his stint at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in India where he was involved in IT projects related to credit cards frauds. His search for a programme to upgrade himself after 4 years of work led him to SMU.

The SMU MITB programme led him to intern at DBS Bank as part of an industry attachment. During the internship, he was involved in a Branch Risk Profiling Project for the Audit department and found that a great part of what he studied during the various modules was directly applicable to his work at DBS Bank. The DBS management was so impressed with the model that he developed for the Bank that after further validation, they deployed it and also converted his internship into a full-time role at the Bank.

Edwin Chong Lik Ming

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2015
Senior Manager, Business Analytics
Branded Lifestyle (A Fung Retailing Company)

Green logistics - applying analytics to reduce carbon emissions

“For my capstone project, I worked with the SMU-DHL Green Transformation Lab to build optimisation models that enabled customers to improve current capacity rates and shipping methods as well as potentially reduce shipping carbon emissions if the implemented.”

Having gone through the undergraduate route at SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems, Edwin decided to take up the MITB (Analytics) programme to learn more about analytics and its real world applications to better serve businesses.

During the capstone project module of the programme, Edwin consolidated knowledge across the disciplines and built optimisation models in the SMU-DHL Green Transformation Lab. These models were designed to improve capacity rates and shipping methods along with a “green” component in reducing shipping carbon emissions.

Following his graduation, he successfully clinched a role as a Management Associate with Fung Group, an export trading and global supply chain Management Company. He believes that it was his understanding of the competitive advantage provided by analytics and his ability to communicate its applications to the company's current business portfolio that gave him the edge.

Bharath Chandrababu

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2015
Senior Data Analyst, Amazon Web Services

Knowledgeable faculty

“One of the best parts of the MITB programme is the faculty. Most of them are subject matter experts and their wide technical knowledge and industry experience have always been valuable. They are approachable and always ready to provide guidance. I would recommend this programme to prospective students as it has the right blend of technical and business courses.”

During his MITB learning journey, Bharath learnt how to employ statistical and visualisation tools to integrate, structure, and analyse large data sets, manage multiple big data projects and effectively communicate findings through writing. He also appreciates the freedom to choose courses relevant to his industry’s expectations.

During his internship at Ernst & Young (EY), he worked with the Data Analytics team on the “ATM Field Optimisation” project, supervised by SMU faculty. The objective was to forecast ATM Machine Ad-hoc failures and subsequently optimise the number of field engineers assigned to each zone per day for reactive maintenance. The work was published and presented as “Ad-Hoc Automated Teller Machine Failure Forecast and Field Service Optimization” at the IEEE Case 2015 conference in Sweden, Gothenburg.

Adithya Srinivasan

Master of IT in Business (Analytics)
Graduation Class of 2017
VISA Worldwide
Manager, Strategic Partnerships

Emboldened to communicate concepts effectively

“SMU’s seminar style lectures and encouraging environment emboldened me to communicate effectively with the senior management during my internship.”

Adithya started his career with French consulting firm Capgemini. During the course of his work, he realised that the business aspects of decision-making and strategic analysis became increasingly data driven. He also felt that a strong understanding of statistical techniques and analytics-focused problem solving could be the solution to many issues faced by companies.

Fascinated by Singapore’s unparalleled economic development, trade and business policies, cleanliness and safety, professional development opportunities, opting to study at SMU was an obvious choice for him. When he read that the MITB programme encompassed a specialised focus on analytics, it sealed the deal.

Adithya spent his first term studying the technological aspects of analytics, learning the latest tools and paradigms. Going through case studies made conceptual learning come to life, and he was able to solve business problems using data driven solutions. He also became the first and only student from the programme to land an internship with a Front Office function at one of the world’s largest Bulge Bracket Investment Banks – Citigroup.

Just under 2 months following his graduation, he landed a job offer with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the world's #1 professional services consulting brand. He is currently working as a Strategic Partnerships manager at VISA Worldwide.

Mai Thi Hoai Thu

Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Graduation Class of 2021
Vingroup Young Talent Scholarship Recipient (AY2020)
Senior Data Scientist (Analytics), Grab

My learning experience with the SMU MITB programme has been amazing. The past few months have really been an eye-opener for me, as I have learnt many analytics tools and techniques that would prepare me for a career in data science. The MITB curriculum is well-designed and gives students flexibility in choosing different courses from different tracks depending on their business domains and interests. As I had no prior background in IT, the learning curve has been steep for me and I find it challenging at times to manage the heavy workload. However, the MITB professors are always very helpful in providing advice and guiding me, especially when the going gets tough and I am stuck with projects or assignments. It is a great opportunity to learn from the MITB professors who are experts in their fields.

SMU offers the Vingroup Young Talent Scholarship that provides full financial support for eligible Vietnamese students pursuing the MITB programme. It is such a great honour to be a recipient of this scholarship, and I would like to express my gratitude to Vingroup for awarding this scholarship to me so I could pursue my passion.

If you are considering embarking on the MITB journey, I would encourage you to go for it—get out of your comfort zone and learn as much as possible. All the best!

Ian Carter

Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Graduation Class of 2021
Data Scientist
PALO IT Singapore

When I was transitioning to data science with my business and consulting background, I tried many Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and specialisation courses that taught me a great deal, but they were not enough to really help me break through the noise.

The MITB Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme offered me what I was not able to get from a MOOC: a deep understanding of machine learning as well as other AI-based systems and methods; a diverse cohort of driven batchmates; and faculty who do their best to be available for students even during the disruptions that COVID-19 has imposed.

The programme also provided me with the flexibility to adjust my internship component such that I could take an additional course in exchange for a shorter internship. I am tremendously happy with the challenge and rigour of the programme, and I would encourage any interested candidate to consider MITB as a stepping stone towards his/her AI-related role!

Terence Soo

Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Graduation Class of 2020

The MITB programme is highly recommended to all aspiring practitioners passionate about Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is rigorous, current with the progress of AI such as reinforcement and deep learning, broad enough to allow me to be curious about digital transformation and the Internet of Things, and deep enough in terms of the underlying AI principles and machine-learning algorithms. The rewards from MITB have been enriching. You will make many friends from diverse backgrounds and career stages who share a similar passion, bringing their experiences across industries as real-life stories, use cases and challenges are being shared. I was inspired by dedicated faculty members who were very generous with their time, sharing their vast industry experiences and research passion while making sure that the learning, interactions and environment are of quality. I have gained much from MITB and transited from management consulting into financial services with a leading life insurer focusing on digital health applications.

The field of AI is burgeoning and learning never stops. With a firm foundation built from MITB, you can look forward to an adventure and chart out what you want to do. It has opened doors to more possibilities!

Rodwin Alvarez

Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Graduation Class of 2019
AI Developer
Hendricks Corp.

Coming from a career with a non-technical background, I never thought I would be able to retool myself into an AI engineer capable of designing complex solutions using AI. MITB has been an enabler for me to implement AI solutions to real-world problems and venture into the exciting world of Data Science and AI. While in the program, you will learn from professors who are both brilliant and passionate about the field. They will keep you engaged and always challenge you in reaching the next level by guiding you along the way.

One thing that worked really well for me during my time at MITB was the freedom to explore and choose the path I was most interested in. I started out thinking FinTech was the right choice for me, but ultimately ended up in AI realising this is the space I am most passionate about. This was only possible because I had the option to try out the different courses from the different tracks.

The constant drive of MITB to always teach the most cutting-edge theories, and at the same time instilling in the students the ability to keep themselves up-to-date even after graduation has been a game-changer for my career. If you do decide to embark on the MITB journey, my advice is to give it your all as what you get in return would be nothing short of spectacular. Indeed, the journey will be very hard, but anything worth doing always is.