UVI Launches Data Science Certificate Program for Professionals

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The University of the Virgin Islands will offer a Data Science Certificate Program for professionals starting Fall 2021. The 13-credit certificate program is designed to help people further their career or broaden their job prospects by learning applied data science.

“Almost every projection on work forecasts aggressive growth in employment related to data,” said Thomas Lombardi, UVI chair of information systems and technology. “The data science programs at UVI are designed to help professionals adjust to and profit from these trends.”

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The program will focus on how analyzing the right data can drive better decision making in any industry. Students will also learn data governance, data ethics, and how applying data analysis can drive economic and community development.

“It’s important to create a culture of data-driven decision making,” said Dr. Joanne Luciano, distinguished professor of data science at UVI. “How do we use data to become eligible for additional federal funding? Can we detect early signs of new contagious diseases arriving in the territory? What types of industries should the USVI invest in to balance its portfolio? Data science has answers.”

Kirk Chewning, co-founder and partner at fintech consulting firm Cane Bay Partners, is a member of the advisory board that created the DS Certificate Program. According to Chewning, “Both the EDA and the RTPark have identified opportunities over the next several years that could drive 1,000 to 2,000 new jobs in the territory per year. That is a large magnitude of new jobs created that will require talent. If we want residents to be empowered to take on these jobs and earn more, we need to create platforms that give them opportunities to learn the skills that will get them there. Any individual who understands how to use data to drive important decisions will be an asset wherever they decide to work – in the public or private sector.”

Students pursuing the DS certificate do not need prior college experience. Registration will open in the fall, but interested students can register now to start taking both core and prerequisite courses during the 2021 Summer Semester. To register, students new to UVI must fill out a registration form and submit to the UVI Office of the Registrar.

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