Preparing the Next Generation for the Data-Driven World

Introducing the Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) Program

Over the past two years, the world has rapidly changed, moving more people online and faster than ever before. A trend that was gradually growing became a boom. From zoomers to boomers, digital engagement is at an all-time high. What does that mean for the future of business? Data for companies to analyze and lots of it.

“We’ve seen a significant shift across our economy, with most businesses and firms transitioning or increasing their digital transactions and data gathering to be able to continue to engage with their customers,” says Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Saint Mary’s University Sobey School of Business. “As one of Canada’s leading business schools, the Sobey School of Business has been innovative in creating new opportunities for our prospective students.  Recognizing the growing need of data in evidence-based decision-making pursued by businesses today, we will be introducing the new Master of Business Analytics program in September this year.”

The Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) program, the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, meets the growing need for talented data analytics professionals with the skills and advanced applied knowledge to develop, evaluate, refine and implement analytics applications to drive business innovation and success. A program to address the growing demand for business analytics is something one of Saint Mary’s University’s most prominent alumni identifies as vital to businesses in the future.

“Many companies realize the value of data and the importance it has on growing their businesses, but lots of people, organizations and executives are still somewhat intimidated about data and how to use it effectively,” says Dr. Robert (Bob) P. Kelly BComm’75 DComm’97, former CEO of the Bank of New York Mellon and former Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University. “As a leader in Canadian business education, it is fitting that Saint Mary’s leads the way forward in business data analytics.”

The Dr. Robert P. Kelly Master of Business Analytics Scholarships

To support students in the new program, Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce the Dr. Robert P. Kelly Master of Business Analytics Scholarships. The scholarships will be funded by a generous $1 million gift from Dr. Kelly to A World Without Limits: The Campaign for Saint Mary’s University.

“I am thrilled to be a part of preparing the next generation of our country’s top business, data-driven leaders,” says Dr. Kelly. “This program will allow students to further develop their statistical evaluation abilities along with the presentation and influence skills required to help management understand how they, and their customers, can use their data to build new products and improve insights and profitability.”

The scholarships are valued at $10,000 each and will be presented to four students per year who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. In recognition of Saint Mary’s commitment to supporting greater participation by women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, at least two of the scholarships will be available to female students.

“This $1 million gift to our campaign is a generous endorsement of Saint Mary’s and the Sobey School of Business’s commitment to bringing forward innovative, relevant graduate programs and in educating the business leaders of tomorrow,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “I want to thank Bob for his generosity and continued commitment to our institution and our students.”

The MBAN program meets the job market’s growing need for talented business analysts with cutting-edge skills and applied knowledge. Organizations increasingly need professionals equipped with the skills the MBAN program develops: the critical analysis of data to support business decision-making and drive success. Research also shows a significant interest among organizations and businesses to partner with post-secondary institutions offering data analytics business education.

“Data analysis is growing across sectors and is increasingly important to all facets of decisions facing businesses,” says Saeed El-Darahali O.N.S BSc’02 CHR’02 MBA’04, President and CEO of SimplyCast. “Data-driven decision making is a key component of our business operations, and a program like the Master of Business Analytics helps address the increasing demand of companies for skilled professionals who can parse complex data for critical insights.”

“Demand for business analytics-related occupations is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2016 and 2026 in Canada,” says Dr. Michael Zhang, Interim Director of the MBAN program and Associate Professor in the Department of Finance, Information Systems and Management Science at the Sobey School of Business. “In comparison, projected growth across all occupations in Canada is just 9 percent over the same period. This program fills an important demand in the business sector while increasing scholarship in the cross-disciplinary field of business data analytics.”

The program will feature many opportunities for integrated learning and can be completed in 16 months. Students will have the option to pursue one of three experiential learning options: consulting, research or internship. The program integrates and emphasizes:  

• data analytics skill development, including descriptive data analytics, predictive analytics, prescriptive analytics and optimization

• business fundamentals, management and organizational practice

• essential programming skills and computer languages

• ethics, security, privacy and governance

• decision-making, evidence-based practice, and responsible research

“As a student who is looking at my options as graduation nears, seeing Saint Mary’s launch a new program like this makes me think about new career paths and opportunities,” says Morgan Baker-Tucker, a fourth-year entrepreneurship student and winner of the 2021 Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. “Whether it’s discussions about businesses and start-ups, sports or reality TV and influencers, analytics is the driver behind how people approach their decisions. I think this program is a great opportunity.”    

Consistent with the Sobey School’s commitment to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and Evidence-Based Management (EBM), the program will also emphasize the need for socially responsible data analysis and decision-making informed by varied and credible sources of evidence. The MBAN curriculum is aligned with the competency map developed by the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) for which the graduates of the program will be eligible. It will also be Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited.