Big Data, a Book You Can’t Miss
SFL hosted a reading seminar on Big Data (written by Viktor Mayer-Schonberger and Kenneth Neil Cukier), the thi...
SFL hosted a reading seminar on Big Data (written by Viktor Mayer-Schonberger and Kenneth Neil Cukier), the third one of “Enjoy reading classics” series, on June 1st. Prof. Zhou Tao and Sheng Yangyan (translators of Big Data) from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China were the keynote speakers. Presented were Chen Zhijian--Deputy Secretary of SWJTU’s Party Committee, Huang Chunrong--Deputy Director of SWJTU Students’ Affairs Office, Li Chenjian--Dean of SFL, Xu Ge--Secretary of SFL Party Committee, Wang Junqi--Deputy Secretary of SFL Party Committee, and Prof. Mo Guanghua—Dean of the Department of German of SFL.
Chen Zhijian expressed warm welcome to the two speakers and positively thought of the seminar not only as an integral part of President Xu Fei’s calling for enjoying reading classics, but as an important event in the trend of the Internet era.
Starting from the extensive discussion about big data, Prof. Zhou answered the question what big data actually mean from a macro perspective. According to him, the explosion of information, variation in data form and correlation in mass data jointly push the development of big data. People research in the potential value of mass data, diverse data and heterogeneous data[微软用户1] , in order to bring changes for better in every aspects ranging from daily life to international community.
Committed to research on big data, Prof. Zhou and his team did several experiments among which the study on higher education management was the most influential. By collecting and analyzing the non-structural data in various aspects, e.g. the students’ campus card record, Zhou Tao team found the hidden traces of the students’ psychological problems and then provided them with timely guidance. The study proved that big data plays a key role in education.
To help the present students and teachers better understand the practical charm of big data, Prof. Zhou gave more examples including what factors are closely related to academic performance, whether the minority students have lower learning ability, etc. In addition, he showed the cultural charm of big data with his research in Swiss and his recent verification of regional culture theory. Science, in Zhou Tao’s eye, is practical as well as interesting.
Prof. Zhou summarized his speech with a dilemma: on the one hand, big data offer us an opportunity to show ourselves, for elimination of monopoly and reduction of social classes facilitate us to pursue our dream; on the other hand, it’s not easy for the real researchers on big data to stand out due to the excessive popularity and application of mass data. He suggested the students to rationally and patiently make full use of big data when starting a business or looking for a job.
Sheng Yangyan regarded her effort rewarding. On the surface, the translation was time-consuming and pressing. But in a deep sense, the translation broadened her reading dimension and deepened her thinking so as to make a balance between the input of knowledge and output. At last, Sheng Yangyan encouraged the SFL students to read more good books and apply what they read for a better self.
At the end of the seminar, Prof. Zhou answered the students’ questions about privacy protection and complex network. He inspired the students to keep a serious attitude, because taking things seriously can lead to success. All through the speech, Prof. Zhou impressed the audience with his humor and interesting examples.
A Brief introduction to Zhou Tao
Bachelor's degree in Physics from the special class for gifted students in USTC (University of Science and Technology of China)
The director of Big Data Research Center in UESTC (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)
Having 5 monographs and more than 220 journal papers (of which over 170 are enlisted in SCI including Physics Reports, PNAS and Scientific Reports) published
2009, first prize of National Natural Science Award, and the first prize of natural science award in Anhui Province
2010, Chorafas Young Scientist Award
2011, 12th China Youth Technology Award
2014, natural science award of China Computer Federation
Awardees of “Ten-thousand Talents Program” of CPC's Organization Department, “One Hundred Talents Program” of Sichuan Provincial Committee of CPC, and “New Century Excellent Talents Supporting Plan” of Education Ministry