participate

The Initiative is an opportunity for universities to introduce world-class under-graduate and master’s programs in data science, artificial intelligence and blockchain in their computer science/ computer engineering departments. WDSI actively assists all its member-institutions in embracing vendor-neutral and cross-platform knowledge frameworks and standards in their undergraduate, Masters, Ph.D. and continuing education programs, besides enabling students to acquire the certifications. Institutions joining WDSI get accredited on the latest technology standards including those of DASCA. ARTiBA and CBCA, and offer international certifications to their students.

The World Data Science Initiative provides accelerated accreditation on globally respected vendor-neutral, cross-platform, technology knowledge frameworks and standards to its member institutions. Under the Initiative, select institutions with potential for strong influence are actively assisted in setting up centers of excellence in data science, artificial intelligence and blockchain disciplines. This layer of institutions provides critical thought-leadership to the Initiative. The next layer comprises several niche institutions and private universities that are recognized as authorized providers of academic and professional learning in 4IR technology areas. The final critical layer involves the identification of teachers across institutions, who will be designated as Distinguished Professors and as ambassadors of standards-based, vendor-neutral technology education.

WDSI is comprised of hundreds of remarkable member-institutions. Each member-university and institution of the Initiative shows an unambiguous intent and high reserves of strategic energy to lead a technology education revolution in its country and region. These members also influence the learning, teaching and professional development of Data Science, artificial intelligence and blockchain professionals in fellow institutions.

Technology educators from five continents representing over 60 countries unite on the WDSI platform and adopt state-of-the-art mechanisms, systems, techniques, content and curricula of technology teaching and learning. The Initiative also provides subsidies to institutions from developing countries to facilitate their participation.

All member-institutions get complete content support in the form of study resources and access to exclusive online and digital learning resources and virtual labs. All students of member-institutions obtain their vendor-neutral certifications in data science/ artificial intelligence/ blockchain areas on a subsidized fee structure.

Exclusive instruction, learning, and certification exam preparation content are provided to all institutions that are a part of WDSI as accredited universities or that host centers of excellence in data science, artificial intelligence and blockchain. The support includes access to digital study and exam preparation content on the latest in Data Science, AI, machine learning and blockchain areas. Students receive individual login access to access these materials and resources.

Member-institutions are also assisted with plans, programs, processes, and strategies to manage the delivery of undergrad, master’s and short-term programs for a wide variety of learners across educational and professional backgrounds. These include program and course structures, exam management, certification, classroom instruction plans and practical learning.

Member-institutions can be assisted in teacher and trainer development, and onsite programs can be arranged at subsidized costs, deploying certified master-trainers.

If you are a public or a private university, technology or a business school offering data science education, or a government skill-development initiative, you can apply for a WDSI subsidy now. Do check if your institution has already received an invite for participation. Also check, if your institution figures in one of the 10 WDSI regional lists of special-focus invitee-institutions and has initiated the process of leveraging this exclusive opportunity.

• Round 1– Application Deadline September 25, 2020
• Round 2– Application Deadline December 31, 2020
• Round 3– Application Deadline February 15, 2021
• Round 4– Application Deadline November 30, 2021
• Round 5– Application Deadline April 30, 2022
• Round 6– Application Deadline February 22, 2023
• Round 7– Application Deadline August 25, 2023

IMPORTANT: Institutions can benefit from WDSI subsidy and grants by expressing their intent to get their data science departments and programs accredited by official WDSI accreditors. Accreditations in artificial intelligence and blockchain follow after institutions have obtained accreditation in data science.

• If you are a large academic institution, you can apply directly for accreditation to any of the official WDSI accreditors – including Data Science Council of America (DASCA) or Artificial Intelligence Board of America (ARTiBA) or Central Blockchain Council of America (CBCA). Once you mention you wish to apply under WDSI subsidy, your institution’s application will be processed through the WDSI route.
• If you are a large public university or a World-Bank funded institution, apply directly to DASCA/ ARTiBA/ CBCA for setting up a center of excellence in data science/ artificial intelligence or blockchain within your institution
• Once your application is approved for WDSI subsidy, your institution is invited to start off its accreditation project in data science with DASCA
• DASCA puts your institution on the accelerated accreditation mode and provides you a digital dashboard for completing the required informational and documentary disclosures the accreditation process
• Once your DASCA accreditation process is completed, you are given the options to go for ARTiBA and CBCA accreditations in the same stride, in one go – also on subsidized fee.
• Nominate your faculty for earning them the coveted recognition as distinguished data science professors
• If your institution is not included in a WDSI regional list of special-focus invitee-institutions, you can write to us at join@worlddatascience.org

• Universities/ institutions not offering any data science, Ai or blockchain programs can also join WDSI and apply for subsidy, if they have a plan for entering any of these areas of education. The Computer Science/ Computer Engineering/ Information Technology/ Business Administration/ Statistics departments can be great hosts of world-class data science programs.
• The application deadlines may change selectively for different zones.
• Applying to become a member or a part of the Initiative implies that the applicant-institution is ready to:
  • deliver education on vendor-neutral, cross-platform knowledge frameworks and standards; and
  • certify its students through an empaneled global certification body supporting the talent development goals of the World Data Science Initiative.
• The number of institutions to be included from various countries may change without notice, and applications may stop without prior notice.
• Applicant institutions are discouraged from making claims on behalf of the Initiative or misrepresenting the Initiative in any way. Indulgence in any such activity will be considered unethical.
• Applicant-institution are not authorized to release any communication – whether advertisements, press notes, website notifications, news or announcements in print, electronic or social media in the public domain without prior approval from the Initiative’s offices. A breach of this norm by an applicant-institution may result in the cancellation of its application.
• Becoming a part of the World Data Science Initiative requires applicant-institution to formally agree to get their students trained and certified on vendor-neutral, cross-platform knowledge frameworks and standards. In addition, they must agree to take part in at least one of the following processes to demonstrably prove their intent to contribute to the cause of creating world-class talent:
  • Getting accredited on vendor-neutral and cross-platform knowledge frameworks and standards for Data Science education (subsidies and grant-in-aid available for select geographies)
  • Establishing a Center of Excellence to obtain capabilities for higher-education delivery and research in vendor-neutral, cross-platform knowledge frameworks and standards.
• Subsidies or grants-in-aid are not provided in cash to any applicant institution at any stage.