Bengaluru-based RV University (RVU) and Mu Sigma have signed an MoU to offer a unique four-year BSc (Hons) programme in Decision Sciences which is India’s first apprenticeship-based UG programme in India along the lines of the Co-Op concept from US and Canadian universities. 

According to the university’s press release the four-year programme offered by the School of Computer Science and Engineering at RVU allows students to learn from the university and train as apprentices at Mu Sigma simultaneously with 50% duration of the programme as an apprenticeship at Mu Sigma. Tthe job-oriented curriculum is jointly designed and delivered by RV University’s School of Computer Science and Engineering, and Mu Sigma is the world’s largest pure-play data analytics firm providing data science solutions.  

The release further states that during this programme, students will get an opportunity to work on existing problems of Fortune 500 companies. They will spend 50% of their time working on real projects and the other half at the University, developing a strong foundation in fundamentals, skills in the rising technical field of decision sciences, and life skills that are critical for their future. 

Dhiraj Rajaram, CEO and Founder of Mu Sigma said “I am delighted to announce our partnership with RV University’s School of Computing. RV University is a storied Institution that has contributed scholars and professionals to India and the world for over 8 decades. The School of Computing at RV University will be a new avenue for the Institution to contribute to nation building. We are proud to partner with the University to launch the B.Sc. (Hons.) programme in Decision Sciences. 

Welcoming the signing of MoU, Vice Chancellor, RVU, Prof. YSR Murthy said, “We are proud to partner with Mu Sigma in offering this unique programme in Decision Sciences.  This collaboration will further research and innovation. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emphasized, among other things, apprenticeships and learning-by-doing. The collaboration with Mu Sigma will equip students better to meet the demands of the evolving workforce. This apprenticeship model will empower students with relevant work experience and essential soft skills, thus making them more employable. This programme will provide students with a solid grounding and will enable them to assume future leadership roles in the industry”.

As per India Skills Report 2022, automation and smart machines will replace over 20 million jobs by 2030. It is estimated that more than 133 million new jobs will be created as early as 2022. There is an increased need for highly skilled data professionals, who can simplify the data with rich insights and use critical thinking and analytical abilities for better and optimal decision-making prospects for the enterprises.

Dr Sanjay Chitnis, Dean, School of Computer Science and Engineering said, “This is a one-of-a-kind programme in India. It is designed collaboratively with Mu Sigma to train decision science and analytics experts. During the course, students will be exposed to understanding technology, behavioural science, law, ethics, operations research, business intelligence and management. The graduates of this programme will be able to contribute to businesses with interdisciplinary concepts and 21st century skills. While the demand for such a profession is growing by the day, students learning this course will get the best learning experience and skills in top-class physical and software infrastructure at RV University. This being a multidisciplinary program, students from all streams at PU level can apply”.