Saxion meets Silicon Valley!

This minor is a cooperation between Saxion and the UC Berkeley. The minor includes a studytrip to the US, to the University of California, Berkeley. During the minor you get the unique opportunity to collect and apply state of the art knowledge and skills about a diversity of topics. During the minor, you visit UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley for three weeks (November 2024). You learn all about the 'power of Silicon Valley' and attend masterclasses and seminars in: Business and Data Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, CryptoAsset Tracking, Data Mining and Design Thinking. Also you will work with a projectgroup at an actual assignment for a company.

Course content

Welcome to Saxion's Business and Data Analytics Minor, a collaborative program with the University of California, Berkeley. This unique opportunity allows students to acquire and apply cutting-edge knowledge and skills across various topics in business analytics, machine learning, and innovation. During masterclasses, you will study topics like: 

• Business and Data Analytics, translate data to Strategy and conversion to KPI, Startups and Personal Branding
• Machine Learning and AI, AI as a Service, CryptoAsset Tracking, Data Mining & Data Analysis, Metaverse, Blockchain
• Fine-tuning data to a dashboard: Design Thinking, Human Interface Interaction

You will attend these masterclasses given by professionals in the technology and financial industries. They work on a daily base with these topics to come up with innovative new products and services.

During the three-week visit to UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley, you will visit these companies in Silicon Valley and attend several Seminars or conferences about these topics. The opportunity to go to Silicon Valley is unique for a UAS like Saxion. Your chance to look in Silicon Valley and see how companies based there have already come up with their innovations is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Also, you will gain work experience on an internship level because you will work at the company with your group.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

In addition to the master classes, students visit companies in Silicon Valley to see how the topics work in practice. We attend various conferences and seminars. You have the unique opportunity to experience the dynamics and innovation of Silicon Valley up close.

PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS

At the program's start, regionally selected companies present their challenges and assignments to the students. The students then work in multidisciplinary teams on these assignments, applying their acquired knowledge to develop creative solutions and dashboards. These projects vary and mainly focus on data analysis in a business context.

COLLABORATION WITH COMPANIES

The minor allows companies to collaborate with talented students and provides a platform for tackling concrete business challenges. Companies like VDL ETC, Ten Cate Grass, Enrichment Technology, Coulisse BV, and Malvern Panalytical have already participated. This collaboration offers companies solutions to their challenges and the opportunity to recruit future employees.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

The expected costs for students participating in this minor are €2.250. Suppose you qualify for the Saxion Partner Mobility Scholarship (SPM) and are granted the scholarship. In that case, you will get a deduction of €750 (you need to apply for the scholarship yourself). You can find more information about the scholarship at mijnsaxion.nl/beurzen.

USA TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS 

Saxion will align with all regulations according to US law and entry requirements (consider visa requirements and COVID-19 restrictions). You need to apply and pay for an ESTA or visa by yourself. There are additional costs if you're not from an ESTA-eligible country (if you need a visa). Applying for a visa can take a few months. If you're from a country that's considered high-risk, there is a chance that you will not get a visa! More information via https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html.

Join our Information session

We understand that you need more information! You can join our information session.

• 23rd of May 2024, 17:00

If you want to join one of these meetings, please sign up for your preferred meeting via https://edu.nl/jjvjn. If the link doesn't work, send us an email.

Target group

This minor is open to all students with an interest in the following subjects:

• Machine Learning and AI, AI as a Service, AI of Things, CryptoAssets Tracking, Data Mining & Data Analysis, Diversity in Tech, Metaverse
• Strategy and Business Intelligence, translate data to Strategy and conversion to KPI
• Fine tuning data to dashboard: Design Thinking, Human Interface Interaction

Experiences link 1

Experiences link 2

Course structure

Week 4.7 (2023-2024)

This minor starts before the summer break!

On the 19th of June 2024, at 16:00 hours, there is an onsite kick-off of this minor, with a live stream from UC Berkeley. You'll get introduced to the teams at Saxion and UC Berkeley. We'll start with travel arrangements for the study trip.

Week 1-7 – Pre-Berkeley programme @ Saxion

We are developing an authentic learning community. You will join an intensive, adventurous, educational programme for five months. A strong community is the key to success.

You'll meet the companies and their problems, discuss and decide on project topics. We will prepare students from several academies within Saxion towards these weeks at Berkeley with a seven-week pre-Berkeley programme at Saxion. During these seven weeks, you will be connected with companies outside Saxion to work on a dilemma on their behalf. 

Collecting the knowledge in these masterclasses must help you find solutions for these business cases. After your time in Berkeley, you will present your case (Dashboard or maybe a strategy) to your company, and we trust that you will help them reach the next level.

During these weeks, you'll work at the company for one day each week. The goal is to have a clear grasp of the assignment and have your dataset ready before the study trip begins.

Week 8 Project Week
Your team is working in and with the company. You are wrapping up the exploration phase of the assignment. Prepare the presentation your team will do on the first day of the study trip.

Week 9-11 Study trip to Silicon Valley & Berkeley
Visit Silicon Valley, seminars, symposia, masterclasses, and lectures at UC Berkeley.

Week 8-19 Project
Your team is working in and with the company. You are bringing back the state-of-the-art knowledge and skills from Silicon Valley.

Week 19 – Final presentations
Your team will give the final presentations for your client and Saxion supervisors.

Assessment methods

This minor consists of 5 assessments, divided over the programme run.

1. Individual Reflection Saxion modules (Assessment 1) – week 7

• Pre-condition: attendance at 80% of the classes at Saxion.

• Every module is wrapped up with a (small) assignment or certificate. 

• You need to pass 80% of the modules to finish Assessment 1.

1. Mid-term Project team presentation (Assessment 2) – week 11

• During the graduation day on Thursday, your project team will present.

• The main goal of that presentation is to apply the knowledge and skills learned from the study trip to your company assignment.

1. Individual Reflection & UC Berkeley certificate (Assessment 3) – week 11

2. • Pre-condition: attendance at 80% of the classes at UC Berkeley.

   • You submit an individual reflection report for this assessment based on the subjects followed at UC Berkeley.

   • You upload the certificate obtained at UC Berkeley. This certificate must be completed with at least sufficient.

   1. Final project presentation for client (Assessment 4) – week 19

   • A presentation of your group assignment on the scheduled date at the end of the minor.

   • The core criteria for this assessment are: 

   • Your team's solution should add value to/for the company. 

   • You need to show growth and progress in your knowledge and skills.

   1. Group reflection on project work (Assessment 5) – week 19

   • You will record a group reflection session and write a summary.

Application for non-Saxion student:

Before registration through Kies op Maat, please contact the minor-contact person: Robert Slot (r.slot@saxion.nl) 06-12619746 if participating is still possible or whether the maximum number of participants has been reached.

How do I apply?
The application process regarding the Kies op Maat minor at Saxion is a bit different than described at www.kiesopmaat.nl

How does it work?
Step 1: Download the learning agreement from the Kies op Maat website and let it sign by a member of the exam commission at your own educational institution ánd sign the document yourself.
Step 2: go to https://sis.saxion.nl/account# and fill in your personal data
Step 3: you will receive an automatic generated email from IAM including your username and password
Step 4: go the https://sis.saxion.nl, log on with your username and password which you have received from IAM and apply!
Step 5: After this we can process your application for a Kies op Maat minor at Saxion

Please note : in 'Upload documents' you are requested to upload some documents. The following documents we need:

• A copy of your valid passport or ID-card. No driving license!
• A copy of your propaedeutic diploma or a printout from the DUO diploma register. In case you do not have the propaedeutic diploma yet, we would like to receive an official statement from your educational institution in which they state that you will receive the propaedeutic diploma before the start of the minor.
• Learning agreement, page 1, 2 and 3 (signed by a member of the exam commission of your own education institution and student)
• Original Proof of Payment for the study year 2024-2025 (available from June). You can request this proof from your educational institution, also if you pay in instalments. Your educational institution will email the Proof of Payment to Saxion.
  Deadline for handing in the original Proof of Payment is 2 weeks before the start of the minor.

If you have further questions, please let us know. You can contact Saxion Student Registration, telephone number: 088 – 019 3000.