Virginia Tech opening two research centers on big data, entrepreneurship

Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business is launching two research centers to study big data and entrepreneurship.

The Center for Business Intelligence and Analytics will be a resource in the growing field of big data, which combines information technology and business concepts to improve business performance.

“In business, systematic analysis — both quantitative and qualitative — of vast collections of data for planning and decision making has assumed a central place in management,” Weiguo “Patrick” Fan, director of the center, said in a statement.

The center’s goals include creating a minor in business intelligence and analytics at Tech, enhancing offerings regarding analytics that are available for master’s and Ph.D. students, providing resources to Pamplin faculty and working with business, nonprofit and government organizations to develop opportunities for business students.

The college is also starting the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is looking for a director. The center will educate students interested in entrepreneurship.

It will also create partnerships with the business community and support faculty research related to entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and new venture formation and growth.