How will Colombia change with the fourth industrial revolution? And most importantly, what needs to be studied in order not to be left behind in this shift?
Data science, cybersecurity, sustainable energy systems, artificial intelligence and, in general, everything related to new technologies are some of the approaches that will get people talking about the future that is around the corner and whose university offer is already available at the University of Del Rosario.
In the Faculty of Engineering, Science and New Technology of this institution, students are immersed in an ecosystem focused on applied innovation, where flexibility in content and the creation of global solutions based on global technologies are the main differences.
Through programs such as Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (MACC), Industrial Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, or Electronic Engineering, the College of Engineering, New Science and Technology wants to provide the tools men and women need to expand their opportunities in the digital economy.
According to Juan Fernando Perez, Leader of the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, “The programs that are unique in the country, very flexible with each other, and which have the peculiarity of having many lines of deepening, with the path and recognition obtained by the University of Del Rosario in its 367-year history, are integrated here.”
MACC, “Nerdy Toy Store”
At Universidad del Rosario, mathematics are applied and contribute to solving everyday problems. If this isn’t attractive enough, how about adding new concepts like “big data” or computer science to the field? This is exactly what happens in the MACC program.
The MACC is a unique program in Colombia not only because it is the first undergraduate degree in computer science, but because it combines them with applied mathematics to train professionals who will lead the digital transformation. It includes lines of depth in data science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Valerie Gauthier, Program Director, stresses that the topics that will be fundamental to society in the coming years, and which, unlike other university courses in the country, can be studied in depth along several lines.
For Gauthier, the program is best defined as a “nerdy” toy store, where mathematicians, physicists and engineers coexist in the same ecosystem.
New professions for school
The arrival of the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology at the University of Del Rosario brought with it three new undergraduate degrees: Power Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Electronic Engineering.
“The Ingeniería de Sistemas Energéticos is unique in the country because it combines technical and economic issues. This makes a lot of sense for today’s energy sector, as professionals must be clear about the potential of the sun, water or wind in sustainable systems, but they must also know how to convert it into electrical energy and bring it into the consumer’s home, set effective prices and ensure reliable service, ”explains Juan Fernando Perez.
It should be noted that this program includes two lines of deepening: renewable energies and energy markets. For their part, industrial engineering students will be able to delve into areas such as data science and logistics or decision analysis and finance, while students of electronic engineering will be able to do so in the field of robotics, automation, communications, and electronic physical systems.
“Additionally, the programs contain smaller areas in which students can decide to enroll, such as smart cities, the Internet of Things, actuarial or software development, which give our students more flexibility and bring them closer to more specific applications of their knowledge.” Valerie Gauthier.
MA for world leaders 4.0
The fourth revolution needs leaders who know how to use and create the new technologies that will change the business world as we know it. The MACC (Applied Mathematics and Computer Science) degree, specifically, has three lines of depth aimed at applied innovation.
Primarily, a line of computational data science, focused on data analysis and information systems; Second, the cybersecurity line which, as Gautier explains, “seeks to train professionals with capabilities compatible with global needs in terms of offensive and defensive security required to protect information in the personal and organizational sphere; also the application of artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and delve into issues of encryption.” And third, a line in artificial intelligence that provides tools for designing intelligent systems.
The main distinguishing feature of the MACC master’s degree compared to other graduate programs is that the future master’s degree is able to lead projects and transfer knowledge and technology, combining artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and computational data science.
“In Colombia, we must not only train technology users, it is necessary to train the innovators who will bring the Fourth Industrial Revolution to Colombia. This is the impetus for the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology,” Gauthier notes.
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