The Institute of Mathematical Science (IMS) held a breakfast meeting on 16^th June 2015, to discuss research Data Science Centre (DSC) and the Industrial Mathematical Program (IMP) at Strathmore University. The forum which was well attended by representatives from local industries in Kenya and Strathmore’s faculty/school representatives, discussed the introduction of these research tools to heighten data analysis in companies and universities enhancing research systems in the country.

 

The meeting put emphasis on the need to strengthen links between universities and industries through working on research data that promotes a company’s successes. Strathmore University VC Prof. John Odhiambo led the discussions as he elaborated on why DSC and IMP are necessary research tools for the country today. In his remarks, prof. Odhiambo underlined the dire need to always involve industries in the school curriculum, stating that this effect will influence graduands to be more effective for the job market.

 

DSC will house the Applied Data Science Lab that will serve dedicated research and training labs for industry partners, enabling them to access data driven research and innovation in specific application areas. These areas include digital security, financial and business analytics, healthcare analytics, analytic entrepreneurship, web analytics, climate change, renewable energy, and social sciences. In addition to providing solutions to long-standing business challenges, big data research will inspire new ways of transforming processes, organizations, industries and society at large.

 

IMP on the other hand will serve as a bridge connecting the mathematics community, and businesses that benefit from research in mathematical sciences, aiming to communicate results in mathematics to the business community creating an awareness among mathematicians of the community’s needs.

Prof. Odhiambo analyzed executive needs based on a research survey conducted in 2010, which highlighted the fact that companies are heavily relying on data driven research to make decisions for the company. “Based on such surveys we saw the need to establish DSC to help industries understand the data and its value measure.”

 

IMS formally known as CARMS (Centre for Applied Research in Mathematical Sciences) exists to nurture the growth of mathematical expertise among research scientists, by fostering fundamental and multidisciplinary research and consultancies in areas of applied mathematics and mathematical sciences, and to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. IMS’ vision is to be a centre of excellence in applied research and innovation in mathematics and mathematical sciences and to highly contribute to the quality of teaching mathematics.

 

In his closing remarks, Strathmore University’s DVC Research and Dean of Strathmore Business School- Dr. George Njenga, underscored the urgency to own and acquire value of data in Kenya instead of leaving the opportunity to foreign investors. He pointed out the fact that universities should share research findings with industries in order to serve the Kenyan society better.