AIM, University of Houston roll out tech-focused undergrad programs

Asian Institute of Management president and dean Jikyeong Kang (left) and University of Houston – C.T. Bauer College of Business dean Paul Pavlou (right) sign a memorandum of agreement to offer a double-degree undergraduate program specializing in data science and management information systems.–Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines  – The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and  the University of Houston (UH) are offering a double-degree undergraduate program specializing in data science and management information systems (MIS) in the advent of increased adoption of digital platforms in business operations.

The educational institutions recently signed a memorandum of agreement to mark their partnership. In the long term, AIM and UH are targeting to further develop the program.

“In the 55 years since AIM opened its doors to the best and brightest leaders and managers in Asia, never has the institute offered an undergraduate program until now,” AIM president and dean Jikyeong Kang said.

“The rise of data science as a vital cog for improving productivity and data-driven decision-making made it imperative for AIM to develop data scientists who will also start building excellent business acumen early in their learning journey,” she added.

The double-degree program, which costs $13,500 per year, has a duration of four years. This offers Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Administration from AIM and Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Management Information Systems from UH.

The program will be facilitated by faculty members from both institutions. The first three years of the program will be held at the AIM campus, after which students are given the option to physically attend classes at UH during their senior year.

The first batch of students will graduate by May 2027.

“Our partnership with AIM … will guarantee that students will get the highest quality education at the two world’s leading business schools,” said Paul Pavlou, dean of UH’s C.T. Bauer College of Business.

AIM academic program director Michelle Banawan raised the need to have a “fusion of two distinct disciplines” given that “data science and business administration and MIS do not exist in different silos.”

She said these are crucial skills to “propel economic growth” of enterprises.

Christopher Monterola, head of Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship at AIM, stressed that data science and MIS were key to furthering digital transformation in the country.

Digitalization trend has accelerated since the pandemic as individuals resorted to online platforms to conduct usual activities, such as banking and grocery shopping, due to mobility restrictions.

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