Introduction

During my recent visit to the Rhodes University IS department in Grahamstown, I had the opportunity to explore how the curriculum has evolved since my graduation over twenty years ago. In particular, I was interested in understanding the extent to which data management is covered in the program.

Collaboration between Departments

One notable change I observed was the shared building between the Departments of Computer Science and Information Systems. This collaborative approach allows for a blend of technical expertise and soft skills, resulting in graduates who are well-rounded in their knowledge and abilities.

Limited Focus on Data Management

Unfortunately, data management does not receive significant emphasis in the curriculum.

While students are taught basic concepts such as database design and SQL programming, essential skills like data governance and data quality are not adequately covered. This is a common trend across undergraduate programs, where competing priorities limit the time available for comprehensive data management education.

Challenges in Engaging Students

Engaging young students with limited real-world IT experience in the relevance and importance of data management poses a challenge. Making the subject matter interesting and relatable to their experiences is crucial in capturing their attention and fostering their interest.

Parallels with Real-world Data Management

The challenges faced in academia mirror those encountered in the business world on a daily basis. Data quality and related disciplines often struggle to secure budgets and demonstrate their relevance among competing priorities such as new applications and infrastructure maintenance.

A Step Towards Change

I am delighted to have been invited to deliver a guest lecture at Rhodes later this year as part of the data management course. This opportunity provides hope that Rhodes University and other academic institutions will start giving more attention to data management within their curricula.

The Role of Alternative Training

Until universities incorporate comprehensive data management education, our partnership with eLearningCurve.com will continue to offer high-quality courses to train aspiring data management professionals.