10th Anniversary - CUHK-Shenzhen Forum on Statistics and Data Science

May 11, 2024 Other Events

On 11 May, the School of Data Science (SDS) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) successfully concluded the 2024 CUHK-Shenzhen Forum on Statistics and Data Science, a highlight of the University's 10th-anniversary celebrations.

With the advent of the big data era, statistics and data science are playing increasingly pivotal roles across various industries. Against this backdrop, the forum gathered 24 leading scholars in the field of statistics to discuss the future prospects and challenges of the discipline in the age of artificial intelligence in China. The forum also addressed critical ongoing issues in biostatistics research and development. SDS aimed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application through this event, contributing to advancements in the field of statistics and data science.

Opening Remarks

 

Professor Yongtao Guan, Presidential Chair Professor and Associate Dean (School Development) at SDS, delivered the opening address. Professor Guan extended a warm welcome to the attending scholars and outlined the forum's objective as a significant platform for academic exchange and intellectual interaction. He emphasised the importance of exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by the statistical community in China and encouraged active participation in the roundtable discussions to foster academic progress.

 

 
Professor Jim Jiangang Dai, Dean of SDS and Leon C. Welch Professor at Cornell University, presented a comprehensive review of the school's development and achievements over the past decade. He highlighted the international background and expertise of the faculty, their contributions to key disciplines such as operations research, computer science, and statistics, and detailed the development of undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. programmes. Professor Dai also underscored the school's accomplishments in research innovation and international collaboration, including significant partnerships with institutions like Columbia University and the remarkable academic performance of students and alumni globally.
 
 
Professor Jeff J. Yao, Presidential Chair Professor and Statistics Area Coordinator, provided an in-depth overview of the development of the statistics discipline within SDS. He discussed the faculty's academic and research background, their contributions to the discipline, and highlighted the active research contributions of young faculty members, which have gained significant attention both domestically and internationally, bringing new directions and vitality to the school's research initiatives.
 

Roundtable Discussions

The first roundtable, titled "The Future of Chinese Statistics in the Big Data and AI Era: Suggestions for the Development of the CUHK-Shenzhen Statistics Team," was chaired by Professor C.F. Jeff Wu, a member of the US National Academy of Engineering. Experts discussed the opportunities and challenges for statistics in the AI era, sharing insights on curriculum design, student training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evaluation systems. They also contributed their valuable advice to SDS's future development in this field. Professor Yao concluded the session, and Professor Dai extended the school’s gratitude to the experts.

 
The second roundtable focused on "Opportunities and Challenges in Chinese Biostatistics," co-chaired by Professor Tianwei Yu, Associate Dean (Student Affairs), and Associate Professor Jin Liu. This session explored the current state of biostatistics in China and strategies for effective interdisciplinary work in biomedical fields. Experts offered valuable suggestions for the CUHK-Shenzhen biomedical statistics team, with closing summaries and expressions of gratitude delivered by Professors Yu and Liu on behalf of the school.
 
Invite Guests

Committee Members

 Members of the Advisory Committee, Scientific Committee and Organizing Committee are all from the School of Data Science, CUHK-Shenzhen.