The project “Data Literacy and Data Science” has proved to be a success. Over the past two years, universities in Baden-Württemberg have helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop their skills in collecting and analysing large amounts of data. The partners of the joint continuing education project developed and offered training and qualification programmes, attracting more than 1,000 representatives of the region’s SMEs. Due to the great success, these programmes are now being continued.
Data literacy and data science are not only an issue for large corporations. Small and medium-sized enterprises can also benefit from the enormous amounts of data, also known as “big data”, if they have the right tools for collection and analysis at their disposal. Exploiting big data can lead to new business models or modified company processes, which in turn help companies to retain their competitive edge.
Nine universities in Baden-Württemberg are participating in the project “Data Literacy and Data Science” (DLDS), which is geared toward medium-sized companies. The School of Advanced Professional Studies (SAPS), jointly operated by Ulm University and the Ulm University of Applied Sciences, is responsible for coordinating the project. Over the past two years, customised and free professional training opportunities have been created within this project with the aim of strengthening the core competency of employees. “The companies we contacted expressed a desire to have problem-solving approaches for dealing with current problems in their own companies”, explains Professor Hermann Schumacher, executive director of the SAPS.
The organisers had opted for a format consisting of a mixture of online and face-to-face elements, which then shifted more toward an online focus as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Various lectures, series and entire modules equipped the participants with important basics, ranging from mathematics and computer science to business skills for data-based decision-making. The participants represented a variety of target groups, including mangers, users and certified data scientists.
“Data literacy is the foundation from which companies can actively shape the digital transformation and develop new business models”, explains Professor Mischa Seiter from the Institute of Business Analytics at Ulm University. The Institute has designed workshops such as “Robotic Process Automation” and “Managing Digital Platforms”. New modules include “Digital Business Models” and “Technology Acceptance in the Age of Digitalisation”.
The DLDS project was brought to a close at the end of 2021. However, due to their great popularity, the courses are to be continued as a fee-based, cross-university continuing education programme within the framework of the so-called “bundle certificates”. The School of Advanced Professional Studies will continue to be responsible for coordinating the courses. Participants can register now via the project homepage.
About the project Data Literacy and Data Science for SMEs:
The Data Literacy and Data Science project received around one million euros in funding from the European Social Fund. The Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg and the project partners have each contributed half of a further million euros. The project partners include: Ulm University and the Ulm University of Applied Sciences, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Mannheim, the University of Albstadt-Sigmaringen, the University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Furtwangen University, the Stuttgart University of Media and the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University. The simulation and big data specialist SICOS GmbH was involved as an external partner. The project was coordinated by the School of Advanced Professional Studies (SAPS), affiliated with Ulm University and the Ulm University of Applied Sciences.
Text and mediacontact: Daniela Stang