Data science has become a pivotal force in reshaping industries, economies, and daily life. By leveraging data, businesses enhance efficiency, governments make informed policies, and healthcare advances towards personalised treatments. Data science is not just a tool; it is shaping the future, making it an exciting and vital field of study for students today.
More so when Malaysia is aiming to achieve high technology status by 2030, data science is at the core of such vision. TAR UMT’s Programme Leader in the Department of Computer Science and Embedded Systems, Associate Professor Ts Dr Tan Chi Wee shares his thoughts on data science development in Malaysia. “Malaysia's data centre market is experiencing unprecedented growth. With a development pipeline of 1.2 gigawatts planned, we are looking at a 600% increase over the next five years, as reported by the media. This expansion will certainly position Malaysia as a leading data centre hub in Southeast Asia.”
Jane Wang at her workstation during her internship
With such rapid expansion of data science in the country, a strong pool of qualified human capital is needed to run the show. Jane Wang En Huan is one such talent who is pursuing her Bachelor of Data Science (Honours) at TAR UMT and she is looking forward in joining the workforce when she completes her degree. “I am very encouraged that when I graduate, there are ample opportunities for me to grow and strengthen my career. Similar to how I really enjoyed my degree programme, I am sure I can secure an employment related to data science, thanks to the government’s focus in developing data centres. I have a deep interest in IT and machine learning. This is why my favourite subjects include machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualisation. These areas are at the forefront of innovation, for example, in manufacturing, machine learning can detect product defects in real-time or predict maintenance schedules,” she explained.
The prototype of the smart system garage door was one of the projects Jane developed.
TAR UMT’s Bachelor of Data Science (Honours) programme is designed to equip students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills. This comprehensive curriculum covers essential areas such as Programming, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Image Processing, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and the Internet of Things (IoT)—all of which are crucial in today's data-driven world.
Dr Tan elaborates further, highlighting the practical applications of emerging technologies: "It is a common misconception that AI is simply about the coding of asking questions and receiving answers, but it is far more than that. For example, Image Processing is one of the latest trends in data science. It plays a critical role especially in healthcare and manufacturing for quality control and defect detection. Coupled with IoT, we can connect devices and enable real-time data collection through sensors, allowing us to predict anomalies and enhance operational efficiency."
Adding on to Dr Tan's elaboration, Jane shared about her project on Image Processing and IoT: “For my project, I had to develop a smart sensor system to determine which objects were permitted to enter a garage door. We integrated various sensors and implemented real-time monitoring, enabling AI to decide whether to grant entry. As a result, the garage door transformed from a simple mechanism into an intelligent and responsive system. This was a valuable experience in applying my theoretical knowledge to a real-world project, and it taught me the power of smart systems in everyday life."
On her degree programme, Jane further shared: “My lecturers often combine theory with practical exercises and real-life case studies. This helps us understand how data science principles are applied in the industry. We are encouraged to think critically and solve problems creatively. The availability of online resources and advanced tools further supports our learning outside the classroom. Fortunately, the study environment allows me to collaborate with peers, and seek guidance from my lecturers.”
Reflecting on how the data science degree programme has shaped her aspirations, Jane concludes, “I plan to build my career in predictive analytics and machine learning. I feel confident about tackling the challenges of a data-driven world. The industrial training and real-world exposures will be of great help to me as I build my professional career.”
