Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by timothy vogel on December 9, 2009 at 3:17pm

It's not so much an image of issue as it likely is an economic issue. Even here in the USA the machine-learning generation, software engineers with some training in statistics and mathematics (especially automated statistical parsing - not the classic statistician’s role) seem to be getting the lion' share of the attention in hiring. Particularly at the entry level.

in the end, automated statistical parsing is still recommending purses after purse purchases and asking "do you want fries with those fries?". it is pathetic, and mostly driven by the cost-per-click model so prevalent in most online content communities for whom advertising dollars are the only revenue in sight. Moves toward cost-per-action (actual non-returned goods as purchases) will help, but don't expect Google, MSN, Bing, and Yahoo to move quickly on that one. CPC is their "golden goose" and they aren't about to kill it for a single goose dinner!

So, think about statistical consulting vs. online statistical parsing, then note the job descriptions. I suspect the real statistical leads are hidden within practitioner solicitations (wildlife biologists, pharmaceutical biologists, applied mathematicians, consulting engineers, etc)

In the end, if statistical inference were JUST about machine-learning why wouldn't giants like Marvin Minsky, Richard Greenblat, and Peter Deutsch (and the rest of the 1960's TMRRC students at MIT) have licked it back then? Don't quote RAM, cycles, and Moore's law to me either. They didn't because all problem solution is contextual, not context-free, "the-answer-must-be-in-this-"data"-somewhere" notion as the machine-learners are learning today (if they have a lick of training about true heuristics, and have their eyes open to the real-world instead of their index-pointers).

When inference is required, it's STATISTICIAN's to the rescue. if it's supplying temporary lift in any performance measure, incremental sales boosts, better coverage of some social.Net (all low-hanging fruit in industry jargon"), count on the lead going to an entry level machine-learning student these days rather than an experienced professional statistician. Good luck.

TV

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on August 24, 2010 at 12:20am

Do you really know what statistics is about? I am confused as your response has little bearing to the topic under discussion

Permalink Reply by Shola Adeyemi on December 9, 2009 at 11:57pm

If the question therefore is, what can we those already trained and working abroad do to help improve the image of our profession in Africa? Then the simple answer is let people like you who have the exposure to what statistics and statisticians stand for to go back to Africa and sensitize the people and government.
Cheers.

Permalink Reply by Vincent Granville on December 16, 2009 at 2:29am

While I've never been in Africa (I'd like to visit this continent though), I've spent my PhD years sharing an office in Namur, Belgium, with a Burundi PhD candidate (he's now working for the Belgian government). I think Central / South Africa could attract more great statisticians if you market the advantages of living in Africa: great quality of life, great social life, palm trees, no more rat race, etc. This would appeal to quite a few people, even from the Western world.

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on August 24, 2010 at 12:08am

I would like to formally invite you to visit Ghana as a first experience of visiting Africa!!!

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on August 24, 2010 at 12:41am

i

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on August 24, 2010 at 12:44am

Shola,
When are you plaaning to come back to Africa????????????????
Kwaku

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on August 24, 2010 at 12:10am

how has your search for funding gone? Please let me know, I have a couple of friends in vintage positions who might be able to help

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on December 16, 2009 at 3:43am

As an update, I am currently in Ghana setting up a Consultancy to help train graduate students in the area of medical statistics and to develop courses in SAS programming. The overall aim is to be able to create a greater awareness in statistics/ statistical programming and also to define the vast career opportunities and paths for someone with statistical skills and knowledge. I started this project in 2007, and it is taking roots.
If anyone in the network is interested in knowing more and see how they can help with their knowledge and experience, you are gladly welcome, and to add to it, Ghana is a lovely country; President Obama will tell you more!!

Permalink Reply by Biswajit Nayak on December 16, 2009 at 9:46pm

Hi Damoah,

This is Biswajit from India, We really appreciate your initiative to srengthen Analytical infrastructure/Skill for your Country. One my my concern is aligning the disciplined with a Software Tool like SAS, will be limited to only & captive to SAS. You may devlop curriculum of Statistics with integration with the application i.e. BIO STATISTICS,MEDICAL STATISTICS,HEALTH STATISTICS,CLINICAL TRIAL and so on and may use differant tool in order to exposing the participants with the available software tool will result to larger scope in terms knowledge & employment opportunities for the aspirants.

If we can be any your assistance please let us know.

Thanks !
Biswajit.

Permalink Reply by Kwaku Damoah on December 17, 2009 at 9:39pm

Hi Biswajit,
Thanks for your comments. The reason for starting with SAS is that, it is the software that I have enough resouces available at the moment, personally, I do programme in STATA, S-PLUS/R, SPSS, and JMP, but I dont have enough resources on them as I have for SAS.
My overall aim is to train graduates in statistics and statistical programming, so if anyone has help in any programme, I will very much appreciate.
Kwaku

Permalink Reply by Biswajit Nayak on December 22, 2009 at 10:19pm

Hi Kwak,

I am pleased to inform you that, We have various enagagement /colloboration possibilities to strengthen your analytical infrastructure.If you would like to explore, you can reach me biswajit@statsoftindia.com

Thanks !
Biswajit.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page