BALTIMORE, MD, April 7, 2025 – INFORMS, the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research (O.R.), AI, analytics and data science, has awarded the National University of Singapore, Master of Science in Business Analytics, the 2025 UPS George D. Smith Prize. The award recognizes excellence in preparing students to become practitioners of O.R. and analytics.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) isn’t just a degree – it’s a launchpad for the next generation of analytics leaders. Established in 2013 through a pioneering partnership with IBM, this globally top-ranked program combines cutting-edge data science, operations research and business strategy to solve real-world challenges.
What sets the NUS MSBA apart? A curriculum designed to drive impact. Students engage with an interdisciplinary mix of business, computing, finance and healthcare analytics, refining their skills through a capstone project, five core courses and industry-driven electives. The real differentiator is the “Industry-Ready Pipeline” – a dynamic ecosystem of weekly industry seminars, company visits, innovation challenges and hands-on projects with top-tier firms such as SAP, IBM, Ernst & Young (EY) and BNY Mellon.
Equipped with comprehensive industry-focused training, NUS MSBA graduates transition seamlessly into roles at global powerhouses. More than 950 alumni have excelled as data scientists, consultants and executives, driving innovation across various industries.
Ranked No. 1 in Asia for five consecutive years in the QS Business Master: Business Analytics Ranking 2025, and No. 10 worldwide in the QS Business Master: Business Analytics Ranking 2024, the NUS MSBA isn’t just preparing students for careers – it’s empowering them to lead the future of analytics.
Named in honor of the late UPS Chief Executive Officer – a champion of operations researchers at a leading Fortune 500 corporation – the UPS George D. Smith Prize was created in the spirit of strengthening ties between industry and the schools of higher education that graduate young practitioners of operations research. The prize is awarded to an academic department or program for effective and innovative preparation of students to be good practitioners of operations research or analytics.
More than 15 universities have previously won the UPS George D. Smith Prize, including University of South Carolina (2024), Purdue University (2023) and Eindhoven University of Technology (2022). A full list of all past recipients can be found here.
The two other finalists for the 2025 UPS Smith Prize included: Georgia Institute of Technology, Master of Science in Analytics and the University of Waterloo, Management Science and Engineering.
National University of Singapore, Master of Science in Business Analytics received the 2025 UPS George D. Smith Prize this evening at the Edelman Gala, a highlight of the 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
About INFORMS
INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation. With a network of more than 12,000 members spanning academia, industry and government, INFORMS connects thought leaders, experts and emerging professionals who advance and apply AI, mathematics, analytics, and other sciences and technologies to solve complex challenges and drive impactful decision-making. Through its prestigious peer-reviewed journals, world-class conferences, industry-leading certification programs and a suite of professional resources, INFORMS empowers its community to enhance operational efficiency, elevate organizational performance and promote smarter decisions for a better world. Discover more at www.informs.org.
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Contact:
Ashley Smith
443-757-3578
Media Contact
Ashley Smith
Public Affairs Coordinator
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3578