PGDM in Big Data Analytics from GIM could be your window to success

Shiksha.com recently concluded a session with top experts of the GIM - Goa Institute of Management (GIM) that covered details around the Postgraduation Diploma (PGDM) course in Big Data Analytics (BDA). The experts talked in detail about the course, eligibility and selection process, career options and growth opportunities.  Here is an edited excerpt of the conversation:

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for admission in PGDM in Big Data Analytics offered by GIM?

A: According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) norm, being eligible for PGDM (BDA) requires minimum 50 per cent aggregate marks (45 per cent for candidates belonging to SC / ST category) in the graduation degree (or equivalent). Candidates, who are in the last year of degree, should have obtained minimum 50 per cent aggregate in the latest examination to become eligible.

Q: What is the process to get admission to this course?

A: For PGDM (BDA), shortlisting for face-to-face evaluation is done on the basis of profiles, including XAT, CAT, GMAT or CMAT score, qualification, past academic performance, and work experience. Basis their score, they need to take an online aptitude test called GIM Analytics Aptitude Test (GAAT). The candidates will be sent a web link for GAAT, which can be taken from anywhere at the designated date and time slots. The final selection for PGDM (BDA) is made on the basis of objective assessment (45 per cent weightage), past academic performance (15 per cent weightage), work experience, if any (10 per cent weightage), and performance in face-to-face evaluation (30 per cent weightage). This is subject to obtaining desired proficiency in written communication and the minimum score for each evaluation component, except work experience.

Q: Could you elaborate more about the institute’s entrant test, GAAT?

A: GAAT is a test conducted by GIM intended to assess a student's aptitude in the areas of Linear Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry and Creative Thinking. The test is for a duration of 60 minutes. The test does not have any strict sections based on the topics stated above. This aptitude test is administered online and also has negative marking. The objective assessment for BDA is based on GAAT score and XAT, CAT, GMAT, or CMAT score.

Q: Does big data analytics programme needs programming knowledge? What is the total cost of programme?

A: Yes, a candidate must be mathematically strong and knowledge of basic programming languages like R, Python, SAS would be preferred. It is good to have basic principles of programming and logic. The total cost of programme is Rs 16 lakh.

Q: What are the placements trends?

A: Since, this is the first batch, so no such placements trends are available. But, students will be placed in core analytics organisations such as Fractal, Terradata, Opex; research companies such as Nielsen, Moodys, Crisil, Kantar; and e-commerce giants such as Flipkart, Big Basket, Google, Amazon. Talking of internships, institute facilitates opportunities to students in companies such as UB Group, Royal Bank of Scotland , Volvo, Landmark Group, among others.

Q: What is the scope of data analytics in future?

A: The programme is helpful to target different domains. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, business analyst jobs are predicted to increase by 22 per cent by 2020. Another indication of supply-demand gap is the increasing trend in salaries. In the US, analytics salary bands have been consistently rising over the years. The average predictive analytics salary (non-managers) in 2015 was $88,400 with a mean bonus of 11 percent, and for managers it was $160,000 with a 19.1 per cent bonus. Data scientist salaries are even higher, with the average (for non-managers) being $120,000 with a mean bonus of 14.5 per cent and for managers $183,000 with a 19.5 per cent bonus.

The same trend is observable even in the Indian job market. India is likely to be the supply hub for this demand. The analytics market in India could more than double from the current $1 billion to $ 2.3 billion by the end of 2017-18 according to an industry report by NASSCOM. Analytics companies in India will soon face a shortage of over two lakh data scientist as reported in the leading national daily, The Hindu. According to the Big Data Salary Report 2016 prepared by Jigsaw Academy and Analytics Vidhya the job market across India is seeing a 32.2 percent demand with people having qualification in business analytics over and above degrees in IT or business administration or even doctorates. This is six to eight times more than the demand for IT jobs that is 26.4 percent nationally. According to the analytics school, data analytic graduates are being paid Rs 12.19 lakh per annum in Mumbai, followed by Bengaluru with Rs 10.48 lakh and Delhi-NCR at Rs 10.4 lakh per annum. Bengaluru offered 30,000 (the highest number) of jobs for analysts and data scientists followed by Delhi, with around 23,000 jobs and Mumbai with around 12,000 jobs.