PTA Organizes a Constructive Session on Big Data, Big Opportunities for an Emerging Economy

Saima IbrahimLast Updated: Feb 1, 2016

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) organizes a short but quite significant session on “Big Data, Big Opportunities for an Emerging Economy” for the telecom industry and journalists as well. Mr. Murtaza Haider shed light on the very significance of big data for Pakistan’s progress. He explained well during his presentation that it can be helpful in bringing education to the remote and underdeveloped areas of Pakistan. Mr. Murtaza introduced the idea of big data brilliantly by saying:

Big data is the sexiest job of the 21st century. Data scientists, i.e., statisticians of yesteryears, are in high demand. Firms are fighting over talent, even poaching. This unmet demand for data scientists in the western economies opens up great possibilities for the youth in Asia and Africa. Why not Pakistan then?

Big Opportunities Awaits Pakistan: PTA Organizes a Constructive Session on Big Data, Big Opportunities for an Emerging Economy

Later on, Mr. Murtaza explained to the audience that the constraints of money, location, and time no more matter. While being in a small town in Pakistan, and with a decent Internet connection, the youth can receive training in advanced analytics from the companies like IBM.

Novel training platforms, such as the BigDataUniversity.com, are offering new channels to learn. And for those with modest means, it doesn’t cost a cent; which can benefit many people while residing in remote areas of Pakistan.

Mr. Murtaza further elaborated that in places like Pakistan, where local universities are too expensive or hard to join for learners with modest means, the youth can now learn the same curriculum as their counterparts in top-rated universities in the West; Harvard and MIT have opened up their curriculum to the rest of the world.