A Cybernetic and Computer System engineer who specializes in predictive analytics, Oscar Cruz brings a wealth of industry experience and a passion for making a difference in the world through technology to his work as an instructor at SAIT.
After graduating from Universidad La Salle in Mexico with an engineering degree — focused on cybernetic and computer systems — Cruz worked in software development, business intelligence and analytics for a number of organizations spanning industries from construction, mining and transportation to government and education. Through his work, he built global teams to deliver analytics to companies and public bodies in Mexico and across Canada, including Canadian Western Bank, Alberta Energy Regulator and WestJet.
Following years gaining experience and expertise in the world of industry, Cruz moved into post-secondary education, working as an instructor at the University of Calgary before joining SAIT in January 2019 to teach students about emerging disruptive technologies and their impacts, data analytics and statistics analysis, and data literacy.
While at SAIT, he developed the statistical material for the Data Analytics Program, adding hands-on skills, including dimensional modeling and predictive analytics, while also helping build the Analytics bootcamp program, which teaches students high-demand skills in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
He keeps a hand in industry as a managing partner and business analytics practice leader for Bow River Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in data management, working with vendors, such as IBM, Tableau, SAP, Informatica and Microsoft.
Awards and achievements: spoken about predictive maintenance at conferences, including at the Calgary Petroleum Show and University of Calgary.
If I wasn’t doing this: I’d be building robots with deep artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Media interviews:
Media looking to speak to any of our experts should contact Jill Purdy, Manager, Strategic External Content, Communications.