AIM Makati's executives explained the importance of Master in Data Analytics on Friday, August 30. Photo by Ched Gatchalian, ABS-CBN News

Manila — Asian Institute of Management presented on Friday a study on our country's need for thousands of analytics professionals and how its new program — the Philippines' first and only Master in Data Analytics — can address that need.

But what is data analytics in the first place?

"It's about data driven decision-making, so people will use data instead of resorting to gut or instinct, where you don't know what the outcome is. You don't even know how you came to that decision," Corinne Burgos told ABS-CBN News, AIM's academic program director for Masters in Data Analytics. 

"Data is everywhere. But insights? [They] are rare," she stressed in a video posted on AIM's Facebook page.

AIM Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship head Christopher Monterola also chimed in and detailed how it differs with data science program.

"In a nutshell, data analytics is for more applied approach, while data science focuses on algorhytm development among others. This one makes use of all the technology of all the available system and deeply understands the things it can do and it can't do," he stated.

According to Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), the Philippines is estimated to need about 500,000 analytics professionals in IT industry alone, and more could be necessary for creative industries like marketing, sales, media, public relations, and even human resources and government.

Internationally, data analytics is also used in healthcare to enable the use of new technologies both in treatment of patients and health management.

AIM said it recognizes the vital part of data analytics in the Philippine economy, hence the creation of the 18-month, part-time, and hybrid program that blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

"Everybody would need this," AIM president Jikyeong Kang emphasized during the program launch. "More and more data are being collected, but the companies and executives don't know what to do with it. That's why we think this Masters program is really hitting the spot. There is a need to provide a data-driven insight to solve a problem."

Interested students can apply for the April 2025 intake for $25,500. The opening of applications will be announced soon on AIM's website.