The centre is a collaboration between Simula and BI, focused on applied and fundamental research in data science. The goal is to facilitate collaboration among researchers and to enhance the quality of education programmes in the intersection between business and data science.
“This is a proud day and a milestone for all of us here at BI. Connectedness is placed right at the core of our school’s strategic priorities, and I can safely say that our new research centre embodies the idea of being connected. By joining forces, Simula helps our school, our faculty, and our students to connect to leading industry competence in data science”, said Inge Jan Henjesand, President of BI Norwegian Business School, during Monday’s official opening ceremony.
He was joined by Aslak Tveito, CEO of Simula, who shared his enthusiasm for the new partnership.
“Usefulness is at the heart of what we try to accomplish at Simula. In that respect, I think BI is a superb partner for us since it is the best business School in Norway. Everyone involved have done a super job so far, and it seems like Simula@BI is off to a really good start”, said Tveito.
Hilde C. Bjørnland, Provost for Research and Academic Resources at BI, has great expectations for what the new centre can bring to the table.
“We first start discussing this idea in 2019, after witnessing an increased demand for highly skilled people in programming and data science. It is exciting to know that Simula@BI will help contribute to interdisciplinary research collaborations and highly relevant study programmes”, said Bjørnland.
The event also featured talks from academic, industry and the public sector. The speakers included Lars Dahl (NBIM), Pål Nedregrotten (Amedia), Tale Skjølsvik (OsloMet) and Vegar Paulsen (BearingPoint), as well as head of Simula@BI Erlend Aune, Michael Riegler (Simula), Kyrre Lekve (Simula), Ada J. Ellingsrud (Simula), Matilda Dorotic (BI) and Francesco Ravazzolo (BI).
Facts:
- In June 2020, BI and Simula Research Laboratory announced a collaboration on joint research initiatives and a new research centre in data science.
- Simula@BI’s focus is on cross-disciplinary research at the intersection of data science and the business disciplines. The centre will also seek new, mutually beneficial partnerships, including industry partners, as well as other research institutions. Read more on Simula@BI’s webpage here.
- From the autumn semester 2022, BI will start offering new MSc programmes in digital communication management, data science for business and a BSc programme in digital business.
- Simula Research Laboratory AS was established in 2001 and is organized as a non-profit limited company, fully owned by the Ministry of Education and Research. Simula’s main objective is to create knowledge about fundamental scientific challenges that are of genuine value for society.