News

As a civil servant working in the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education in Bangladesh, M. Yasser Arafat must stay on top of edtech initiatives.

He completed the Applied Data Science Lab from WorldQuant University to sharpen his skills. He says the free, online 16-week certificate program significantly enhanced the way he approaches decision-making and digital transformation in the education space.

“The program strengthened my ability to take a data-driven approach rather than relying solely on assumptions, experience, or anecdotal input,” Yasser says.

The Applied Data Science Lab covers machine learning, data analytics, and problem-solving. Participants learn theory and then complete eight self-paced projects to demonstrate mastery.

“The skills gained from the course are already being applied to improve data workflows, identify inefficiencies, and explore predictive insights,” Yasser says. “I’m also leveraging what I learned to support initiatives aimed at modernizing reporting frameworks and developing more structured, evidence-based policies.”

Prior to starting at the Ministry of Education, Yasser was a senior officer at Rupali Bank Limited and Bangladesh Krishi Bank. He has a Bachelor of Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology and an MBA from the University of Dhaka.

Yasser also holds multiple licenses and certificates from Google, edX, and other organizations, but he makes a point of promoting WorldQuant University in Bangladesh.

“WorldQuant University gave me the right mix of technical capability, analytical confidence, and structured thinking to drive meaningful digital transformation in the public education system where impact matters,” he says.