Praxis Business School‘s Spring Intake for Analytics Program: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The field of analytics and data science has been on a meteoric rise in recent years. As businesses across the globe become increasingly data-driven, the demand for skilled professionals who can extract insights from data and drive decision-making has soared. According to a report by Analytics India Magazine, the analytics industry in India is expected to grow seven-fold to $35.9 billion by 2026, up from $5.1 billion in 2021. This represents a staggering CAGR of 48% over the five-year period.

Praxis Business School, a premier institution based in Kolkata, has been at the forefront of analytics education in India. Their Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics has emerged as one of the most sought-after courses for students and working professionals looking to build a successful career in this dynamic field. In this article, we take a deep dive into the Praxis analytics program and explore why it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to ride the analytics wave.

Program Overview

The Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics at Praxis is an intensive 11-month full-time course designed to equip students with end-to-end expertise in data science and its business applications. The program curriculum spans 500+ hours of classroom training and covers a wide range of topics including:

• Statistics and probability
• Machine learning algorithms
• Deep learning and artificial intelligence
• Big data technologies like Hadoop, Spark
• Data visualization tools like Tableau, PowerBI
• Programming languages like R and Python
• Business domain knowledge in marketing, finance, operations etc.

One of the key differentiators of the Praxis program is its focus on hands-on learning. Students work on multiple industry projects and case studies throughout the course duration to gain practical experience in solving real-world business problems using analytics. They also receive mentorship from industry experts and have opportunities to network with analytics leaders through guest lectures and industry events.

Comparison with Other Programs

So how does the Praxis analytics program stack up against other similar courses in India? Here is a comparison table:

As you can see, the Praxis program is quite comprehensive and compares favorably with other top analytics courses on most parameters. Students get exposure to a wide range of tools and techniques and work on multiple real-world projects. The batch size is relatively small enabling personalized attention and mentoring. While the average CTC is slightly lower compared to some other institutes, the Praxis program provides excellent value for money given the depth of coverage and industry connect.

Dr. Prithwis Mukerjee, Program Director of the Praxis analytics program, sums it up well:

"Our program is designed to create well-rounded analytics professionals who can hit the ground running from day one on the job. We believe that in addition to technical skills, students also need to develop strong problem-solving, storytelling and business communication abilities to succeed in the corporate world. That‘s why our curriculum lays a lot of emphasis on hands-on project work and industry interactions."

Student Profile and Placements

The Praxis analytics program attracts a diverse mix of students from various backgrounds. Here is a snapshot of the typical student profile:

• Educational Background:
  • Engineering: 60%
  • Mathematics & Statistics: 20%
  • Economics & Commerce: 15%
  • Others: 5%
• Average Work Experience: 18 months
  • Freshers: 70%
  • 1-3 years experience: 20%
  • 3+ years experience: 10%
• Gender Ratio:
  • Male: 60%
  • Female: 40%

Praxis students have been successfully placed in leading analytics firms and IT companies. Some of the marquee recruiters include:

• Accenture
• Amazon
• American Express
• Cognizant
• Deloitte
• Fractal Analytics
• IBM
• JPMorgan Chase
• KPMG
• Mu Sigma
• PwC
• Tiger Analytics
• Walmart Labs

The placement track record has been quite impressive with 100% placement rate for the last three batches. The average CTC has also been rising steadily over the years:

Industry Applications and Student Projects

One of the highlights of the Praxis program is the exposure to multiple analytics use cases and industry applications. Students work on a variety of projects across domains like e-commerce, financial services, telecom, healthcare, social media and more. Here are a few examples of interesting student projects:

• Predicting Loan Defaults: A team of students worked with a leading private bank to build a machine learning model for predicting loan defaults. The model helped the bank identify high-risk applicants and reduce its non-performing assets (NPAs) by 18%.

• Optimizing Telecom Network: Another student team partnered with a telecom major to analyze customer usage patterns and identify areas for network optimization. Their recommendations helped the company improve its network capacity utilization by 23% and reduce customer churn by 12%.

• Personalized Fashion Recommendations: A group of students collaborated with an e-commerce fashion retailer to build a recommendation engine for personalized product suggestions. The engine used collaborative filtering and deep learning techniques to improve customer engagement and boost sales by 28%.

Dr. Sayandeb Banerjee, a core faculty member at Praxis and an expert in AI/ML techniques, emphasizes the importance of hands-on project experience:

"In today‘s data-driven world, it is not enough to just master the tools and techniques. One needs to learn how to apply them in the right business context and communicate the insights effectively to decision-makers. That‘s why we lay a strong emphasis on industry-partnered projects at Praxis. It gives our students the much needed exposure to real-world data challenges and helps them develop a solution-oriented mindset."

Importance of AI/ML Skills

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) skills cannot be overstated. AI/ML techniques are being used across industries to automate processes, improve efficiencies, and drive innovation. Here are a few examples:

• Healthcare: AI is being used to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases, predicting patient outcomes, and personalizing treatment plans. ML algorithms are also being deployed to analyze medical images and identify abnormalities.

• Finance: AI/ML models are being leveraged for fraud detection, risk assessment, portfolio optimization, and algorithmic trading. Banks and financial institutions are using these techniques to improve operational efficiency and make data-driven decisions.

• Retail: Retailers are using AI-powered chatbots and recommendation engines to enhance customer experience. ML algorithms are being used for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and dynamic pricing.

According to a report by the World Economic Forum, AI could add $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030. The report also predicts that 75% of companies will adopt AI by 2027, and that 97 million new jobs may emerge due to AI-based automation. It is clear that professionals with AI/ML skills will be in high demand in the coming years.

The Praxis analytics program recognizes this trend and lays a strong focus on AI/ML techniques in its curriculum. Students are exposed to cutting-edge concepts like deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning. They work on AI/ML projects and develop expertise in tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras. This strong grounding in AI/ML concepts positions Praxis graduates well for leadership roles in a future driven by smart technologies.

Conclusion

Analytics is no longer a buzzword or a ‘nice-to-have‘ skill – it is a key differentiator for businesses looking to thrive in a data-driven economy. As the demand for analytics professionals continues to surge, the Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics at Praxis Business School has emerged as a top choice for anyone looking to build a successful career in this field.

With its comprehensive curriculum, focus on hands-on learning, stellar placement record, and cutting-edge AI/ML coverage, the Praxis program offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain end-to-end expertise in data science and its business applications. The program‘s industry connect, experienced faculty, and vibrant alumni network provide students with the support and guidance they need to navigate the complex analytics landscape and emerge as leaders in their chosen domains.

If you are passionate about data, have strong analytical abilities, and enjoy solving business problems, the Praxis analytics program is the perfect launchpad for your career. The application window for the upcoming spring intake is now open. To learn more about the program and apply, visit the Praxis Business School website.

The future belongs to those who can harness the power of data. Take the first step towards an exciting and rewarding career in analytics with Praxis Business School.