Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) executive Enrico Paringit (Photo courtesy of DOST)
MANILA – Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) executive director Enrico Paringit on Monday said he hopes the new data innovation business of the Aboitiz Group could accommodate graduates of the agency's "Smarter Philippines Through R&D, Training and Adoption" (SPARTA) program.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Paringit said more than 25,500 have enrolled in the SPARTA program that aims to produce 30,000 data scientists via online learning.
Paringit said each enrollee can register in more than one SPARTA course.
The courses, he said, include Design Thinking for Analytics; Analytics Applications in Finance and Risks; Getting grounded on analytics; Excel for Data Analytics; Data Management; Dashboards and drilldown; Data visualization; Data-driven research; Python for Data Engineering; and Statistical Modelling using SQL (structured query language).
Last month, the Aboitiz Group launched Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI) as a subsidiary that will promote data-driven culture across the organization.
"Data science, machine learning, AI [artificial intelligence] will increase productivity and drive business value," Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin Aboitiz said during the virtual launch.
Paringit lauded the Aboitiz Group for launching ADI, saying “it is a proactive recognition that data science and (artificial) intelligence are becoming essential drivers of business and opportunities.”
"We hope there will be opportunities for those who completed these programs to partner with ADI in its plans and operations,” Paringit said in a Viber message.
Located in Singapore, the ADI eyes tapping prospective partners and talents, according to managing director David Hardoon.
"The new subsidiary will create competitive advantages for the Group's various business units. ADI will take the lead in building the Group’s capacity in DSAI (data science and artificial intelligence) through demonstration, awareness, enablement, and ecosystem partnership," Hardoon said.
Through the support of Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), ADI will also deepen the Group’s footprint in Southeast Asia by leveraging the diverse network of multinational businesses and organizations located in what is widely considered as the center of innovation in Asia.
"ADI will create opportunities for our local talent and research ecosystem to collaborate with Aboitiz in developing innovative solutions that will contribute to the growth of their businesses in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia," said Dino Tan, vice president and head of Family Businesses at EDB.
The ADI is seen to eventually serve as a single contracting entity for DSAI collaborations with local and Singapore-based counterparts.
Aboitiz has announced that ADI is open to collaborate with other technology firms. (PNA)
