Big data is having a big effect on the business world.

Responding to the growing need for graduates with business acumen and analytical expertise, Brock University’s Goodman School of Business introduced the business analytics specialization to the MBA in 2014.

This year, Goodman took it one step further by creating the new Centre for Business Analytics.

The new interdisciplinary research hub will allow the Business School to connect with other disciplines and the business community to make a meaningful impact on Niagara.

Though it launched in September, the Centre for Business Analytics will have its official grand opening Thursday, March 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Scotiabank Atrium of the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex at Brock University.

Lori Bieda, Head of the Analytics Centre of Excellence, BMO, will deliver a keynote address on how the field of analytics has changed and become much more prolific in recent years.

The sheer amount of data that organizations can use to their advantage is staggering and is pointing to a shift in data-driven decisions based on insights gained from analytics.

Since launching in September, the new Centre has built partnerships with many Brock departments including History, Mathematics and Statistics, Sport Management, Health Sciences, IT Services and Brock Institute for Scientific Computing, as well as several external organizations including Canadian Tire Bank, Environics Analytics, IBM, John Deere, Meridian Credit Union, Pentavere Research Group Inc., Rel8ed.to, SAS and The Co-operators.

The event next week will feature a showcase of organizations that have partnered with the Centre for Business Analytics. Representatives from Brock Information Technology Services, The Co-operators, Environics Analytics, Rel8ed.to and Pentavere will be on hand to demonstrate how they are using the power of big data to make business decisions.

With support from the Goodman School of Business, the Centre is led by Professor Anteneh Ayanso.

“We have spent the last several months establishing the Centre for Business Analytics and this is our opportunity to celebrate its launch as we look ahead to what the future of big data holds for us,” said Ayanso.

Brock’s Co-op Student of the Year award will also be presented at this event to MBA Business Analytics student Paul Frosina for his outstanding contributions to his co-op employer, The Co-operators.

The event is open to the Brock community. Please email Jane van den Dries to reserve a seat.