SAS and MDEC: A Strategic Partnership
In a world where generative AI is rapidly evolving, the significance of data literacy has never been more paramount. Recognizing this, SAS has rolled out its latest free e-learning course titled “Data Literacy in Practice.” This initiative is designed to bolster individuals and professionals, allowing them to delve into and visualize data with newfound confidence.
Further amplifying its commitment, SAS has forged a partnership with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Together, they will offer this e-learning course via “Let’s Learn Digital,” MDEC’s renowned upskilling platform for digital tech courses.
Voices from the Leaders
Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC, expressed, “We are committed to creating a digital ecosystem that nurtures innovation, empowers businesses, and enables digital inclusion. With a new and enhanced framework, Malaysia Digital (MD) seeks to transform the nation’s digital capabilities and boost the digital economy through the introduction and execution of various MD Catalytic Programmes (PEMANGKIN). Amidst analytics and AI, which are now integral to digital business, data literacy within the workforce can enable organizations to seamlessly adopt existing and emerging technologies. In line with our aims to enable businesses to become data-driven and AI-ready, and to support Malaysia’s growth as a regional data and AI digital hub, we are glad to partner with SAS Institute to bring data literacy education to businesses and individuals in Malaysia to address the digital skills gap.”
Also read: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Unveils a New Era of Luxury Travel
Queenie Wong, Director, Customer Advisory, SAS Institute, emphasized the importance of data literacy in the age of AI. She remarked, “With the rise of AI and the growing demand for data-driven decision making for business, we aim to empower individuals with the skills to help evaluate and interpret data and to make informed decisions. Data literacy will be critical to enable collaboration and use of intelligent tools in the workplace that will bring value to an individual’s role and to the organization.”
Dr. Emily Pressman, the brain behind the SAS Data Literacy series, highlighted the course’s relevance, stating, “In a world overflowing with data, unlocking its power sets you apart. Data literacy is more relevant than ever for young learners and professionals wishing to upskill and reskill. Our courses are designed to be easily consumed by learners and integrated into instruction and professional development offerings.”
Course Highlights: Making Data Literacy Accessible
“Data Literacy in Practice” is crafted to make the learning process engaging and straightforward. Some of its standout features include:
- User-friendly design: The course is tailored for all, eliminating complex mathematical jargon and focusing on practical understanding.
- Real-world examples: Learners are placed in real-life scenarios, simulating the challenges faced by a small business owner leveraging data for decisions.
- Flexibility: With content accessible on any device, learners can progress at their own pace, completing the course in under three hours.
A Comprehensive Data Literacy Journey
While “Data Literacy in Practice” is a robust standalone course, its power is magnified when paired with the free “SAS Data Literacy Essentials” course. This foundational course has already made waves globally, with activations in nearly 80 countries.
Paul Hansford, Associate Professor at Sinclair Community College, praised the course, saying, “Using short, impactful, high-quality videos, the course does an excellent job of introducing ways data is used in our professional and everyday lives, providing students with an entry-level, but solid foundation of data literacy concepts. Importantly, the course also addresses ethical considerations of data analysis. I highly recommend that everyone include this great intro to data literacy in their repertoire of tools for a competitive advantage in the workforce.”
The Role of Data Literacy in Business Resilience
In today’s volatile landscape, business resilience is the differentiator between organizations that merely survive and those that thrive. A recent global business survey report by SAS, titled “Resiliency Rules,” underscored the pivotal role of data culture and literacy in fostering organizational resilience.
For a deeper dive into the collaboration between SAS and MDEC, readers are encouraged to explore the full “Resiliency Rules” report.
