Master of Business Intelligence & Smart Services strengthens its ties with industry
The world is standing on the brink of the fourth industrial revolution. Our society is being impacted by big data, artificial intelligence, and IoT. The Master of Business Intelligence & Smart Services (MSc BISS) prepares its students for this revolution by focusing on two aspects. First, MSc BISS students learn to use business intelligence and data science to turn data into valuable, business-relevant insights. Second, the program teaches students how to develop smart services, namely data- and technology-based services that support consumers and managers in their daily lives.
Although there is plenty of theory regarding these topics, the MSc BISS goes one step further and educates its students with real-life cases. In this way, students are effectively prepared for their professional careers. From the outset, the MSc BISS has established tight contacts with leading businesses in the field of smart services.
For example, before the Christmas break, students worked on a smart services project with Welbo to explore new business opportunities for this social robot provider. Welbo initiated this project because the company was looking to expand its activities into new business segments. Students worked in teams and applied design thinking to explore new opportunities. During this process, the students worked closely with Welbo such that they could incorporate the company’s feedback at an early stage. The students’ results provided Welbo with innovative ideas for their future success.
However, the MSc BISS wants to step up its efforts to strengthen its ties with the outside world. Specifically, the goal is to build a real MSc BISS community with long-lasting relationships, where a large range of stakeholders are brought together to create synergy and value. MSc BISS students, alumni, instructors, businesses, and other organizations will all be part of this community.
Participating in this community can take several forms. Teams of MSc BISS students could participate in business projects, like the Welbo project. Alternatively, companies that want more in-depth research can suggest a topic for a so-called Thesis Internship Project (TIP), in which a student writes his or her master thesis during a part-time internship, around a research question relevant to the company (see this video for more information on TIP).
Also, MSc BISS alumni or other company representatives could hold a seminar or workshop to show what they are working on and inspire MSc BISS students. Or they could attend our yearly Professional Development sessions in which students reflect on and hold short pitches about their professional ambitions. During these sessions, coaches and industry experts provide valuable feedback to support students’ personal growth.
| Companies or other institutions interested in these collaboration opportunities can contact the MSc BISS program leader Bram Foubert (b.foubert@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for more information. |
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