B.S (Data Science and Applications)
One of the many mottos of the IITM BS Degree in Data Science and Applications is to seamlessly integrate business insight with strong technological skills in its students. Azfar Faheem Mustafa’s journey is fueled by the same mantra. Currently navigating dual roles as a Tech Lead and a Business Development Associate at Intelliob Technologies, Mumbai, he has
also completed his BSc level term of the IITM BS Degree program.
During his B.Tech in CS, he noticed a disconnect between the theoretical knowledge acquired and its practical implementation in real-world AI innovations. He recognised that Data Science has become indispensable and the future lies in understanding data; in order to bridge the gap, he set his sights on the BS program. For Azfar, the choice was clear.
“There is so much data out there, and the AI agents would need all of it to make more data-driven intelligent decisions,” he shares. In his pursuit to have a deeper understanding of Data Science and Machine Learning, he joined the IITM BS Degree program, not just for the brand that IITM is, but for the industry-level curriculum and flexibility as well.
He remembers that the heavy workload of his offline college’s final year project necessitated a term break from the BS program. “You don’t find this level of flexibility in many Indian institutions,” he notes with gratitude. He was impressed by how smooth the processes were. “It’s rare to find a program that prioritises student convenience to this extent,” he adds.
His time throughout the program has been nothing short of transformative, and it continues in his current job profile! The Software Engineering project, where his team had to develop a Learning Management System (LMS) integrated with AI, became the blueprint for a scaled-up LMS for his company. “We are going LIVE with it in a few days!” he beams with pride. But this experience wasn’t limited to the aforementioned one – his Design Thinking project team is actually researching a potential startup idea based on the data-driven app they had worked on. He emphasizes that the BS program’s learning approach goes beyond theory, actively training students to develop their own creations.
But Azfar’s interest is not limited to tech. A bibliophile, he became a part of Sahityika, the Literary Society of IITM BS Degree, joining their Executive and Management team. He helped them host an array of events, ranging from Poetry recitation to Storytelling; from Debates to Creative Writing competitions. During his tenure at Sahityika, they conducted the IITM BS program’s first Pan-India event, Minerva.
Reflecting on the memorable experience of Paradox, Azfar says, “Those three days foster a strong sense of community. It makes the degree feel much more connected and personal.”
When asked about the factors that set the BS program apart from other degrees on Data Science and AI, he emphasises on relevance and inclusivity. “The curriculum is up-to-date, aligned with the industry needs,” he says. He is particularly impressed by the structure of this degree, which allows students from various domains to catch up through well-designed courses. Unlike many traditional approaches, IITM’s program stays cutting-edge. He credits the practical projects at both the diploma and degree levels for effectively establishing his core skills, ultimately making him job-ready.
Talking about the road ahead, Azfar’s ambitions are marked by firm resolve. He envisions continuing his professional career while pursuing a work-integrated master’s program – either an M.Tech or an MBA. He knows that career growth and upskilling go hand-in-hand. To the BS Degree students, his simple yet straightforward advice is to make the most of it. “This isn’t just another online course. Follow a schedule, engage with your peers, and never be afraid to scale up your projects,”.
For Azfar, the IITM BS Degree isn’t just an academic journey – it is a launchpad to greater horizons.
– Written by Satyaki Goswami
