Dr Usama Fayyad, one of the world’s most foremost experts in data science and data analytics, joins the UTS Advanced Analytics Institute (UTS: AAi) as its International Advisory Board member. As the Chief Data Officer of Barclays Bank, Dr Fayyad’s role is to build and operate the data infrastructure and customer / client valuedriving applications, across its retail, business, corporate, investment and wealth portfolios. UTS: AAi has demonstrated deep analytics capabilities and experience in assisting major banks in active and realtime customer, behaviour, and credit and risk management across business, online banking, cheque processing, and other products including insurance. It is believed that such advanced analytics skills and tools are widely useful for the banking industry innovation and smarter decisionmaking in the increasingly challenging market environment. This may be facilitated through collaborations between a bank and UTS: AAi via flexible approaches such as consultancy, contract research, joint research activities and higher degree research work experience.
The appointment of Dr Fayyad will see him to provide strategic directions for the Institute’s strategic and longterm development and assist in exploring collaborations between UTS and worldleading organizations including British multinational banking and financial services companies.
Professor Longbing Cao, Director of UTS: AAi says, “Our Institute is one of the very few research groups in Australia and internationally wholly dedicated to research, education and development (RED) of data science big data and advanced analytics. Our recognised capacity and capabilities to engage with major industry and government to provide businessoriented solutions is at the heart of our fundamental research success in data science. Dr Fayyad’s appointment will strengthen AAi’s international leadership and strategic positioning in Analytics RED, and foster collaborative opportunities with major business in particular banks in the areas of banking and insurance management, and social, marketing and sentimental analytics.”
The appointment was recognised at a UTS luncheon hosted by UTS ViceChancellor Professor Attila Brungs. UTS Deputy ViceChancellor (Research), Professor Glenn Wightwick, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Shirley Alexander, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and IT, Professor Hung Nguyen, and senior UTS: AAi staff shared views and discussions with Dr Fayyad.
“UTS is honoured to host outstanding world leaders such as Dr Usama Fayyad on its UTS: AAi International Advisory Board”, says Professor Glenn Wightwick. “As a critical leader in data science and big data analytics, this selective group of worldleaders will substantially strengthen AAi’s strategic planning and development, and also enable high quality research and high impact engagement between UTS and individuals and major organisations, and ensure UTS’s leading role in big data research and meet the critical needs of the wider community.”
Author: Liz Kuo