College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2023 54 CENTRE FOR APPLIED DATA SCIENCE (CADS) OVERVIEW The Centre for Applied Data Science (CADS) is the expression of the passion of the CBE to embed data science into the teaching, research, and community efforts of the College. This is uncommon since most data science programmes are designed for the sciences. The Centre has a clear mission: to provide evidencebased insights that uncover new opportunities and pathways, shaping the experiences of our students and staff, our organisations, communities, and society. With this goal in mind, we aspire to be Africa’s leading centre for data science applications. We aim to produce outstanding research, learning programmes, and insights, delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders, partners, and collaborators. We are committed to utilising the latest data science methodologies and cuttingedge technologies to drive innovation and solve complex problems impacting people’s lives in Africa and beyond. We have fostered robust national and international collaborations with renowned institutions, such as TBS Education in France, Sol Plaatje University in South Africa, and the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA). These partnerships have significantly enhanced our research, teaching, and learning efforts. Our most notable achievements in 2023 were welcoming our first cohort of students for the Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) programme, appointing Dr Mark Nasila as our first Professor of Practice (POP), and successfully submitting the first thesis by Ms Khensani Xivuri in DPhil in Applied Data Science, who was supervised by Prof Hossana Twinomurinzi. The centre has identified five focus areas: Postharvest Agriculture, Smart Mobility, Learning Analytics, Future of Work and Digital Skills, and Marketing Intelligence. Three areas have been designated as research flagship pillars to become leaders in these fields. In 2023, CADS welcomed the first 40 students in Master of Applied Data Science (MADS) cohort and the second cohort of the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Applied Data Science. We are committed to expanding our portfolio of programmes to include more postgraduate and undergraduate offerings in the future, as we aim to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of data science. Throughout 2023, the CADS team has actively engaged with national and international universities specialising in data science to establish partnerships, learn from their data science journeys, and share our experiences of establishing the Centre. On 24 February 2023, we celebrated the inaugural arrival of our first cohort of students for the Master of Applied Data Science programme. With a total of 40 enthusiastic students enrolled for the first year, the programme signifies a crucial step forward in equipping future leaders with the skills to navigate the data-driven landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Master of Applied Data Science is meticulously crafted to enhance students’ abilities in critically analysing and interpreting data and information. It aims to empower individuals with the acumen necessary for both tactical and strategic decision making within the realm of business. Moreover, the programme endeavours to furnish students with advanced knowledge and skills that enable businesses to harness data effectively, thereby gaining a competitive edge amid the challenges posed by the evolving industrial landscape. As we welcome our inaugural cohort, we anticipate a journey filled with innovation, discovery, and the cultivation of expertise that will shape the future of data science and its applications in business and beyond. The welcome session led by our leadership Mr Siyabonga Mhlongo Acting Head (Centre for Applied Data Science-CADS), Prof Hossana Twinomurinzi, Acting Vice-Dean (Research, Innovation & Internationalisation, College of Business and Economics) and Prof Mercy Mpinganjira, Director (School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems-SCiiS). Siya Mhlongo Head (Acting)
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