Lingnan University said on Thursday that it hopes to train more artificial intelligence and data scientists for Hong Kong and the nation through its newly established School of Data Science.
As the sixth school set up by the university, the School of Data Science will have three divisions, namely AI, industrial data science and data science, and offer programs ranging from undergraduate to doctorate, the university said.
Speaking at the school’s plaque-unveiling ceremony on Thursday morning, Lingnan University President Joe Qin Sizhao hailed the school’s establishment as a milestone for the university.
Lingnan University President Joe Qin Sizhao said the School of Data Science is committed to train all-round data scientists through an interdisciplinary curriculum, preparing students for the digital era and the multifaceted analytical demands of industries worldwide
“In today’s increasingly data-driven world, there is a growing emphasis on data analysis,” he said.
“The vision behind the School of Data Science is to integrate cutting-edge technology and pedagogy with Lingnan’s whole-person education model.”
ALSO READ: HK establishes center that uses AI to identify sports elites
Qing said the school is committed to train all-round data scientists through an interdisciplinary curriculum, preparing students for the digital era and the multifaceted analytical demands of industries worldwide.
Andrew Yao Cho-fai, council chairman of the university, said that thanks to the Hong Kong SAR government undertaking to develop data science and the artificial intelligence industry, the School of Data Science will be able to create new opportunities in the digital era to cultivate innovative talents for Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world.
He underscored that the data science school will collaborate with other outstanding universities worldwide to conduct more impactful research and contribute to positioning Hong Kong as a global innovation and technology hub.
Andrew Yao Cho-fai, council chairman of the university, underscored that the data science school will collaborate with other outstanding universities worldwide to conduct more impactful research and contribute to positioning Hong Kong as a global innovation and technology hub
Apart from the existing programs involving data science, the school will launch a new MPhil/PhD in Data Science in the 2024/25 academic year, and introduce two new programs — the Master of Science in Industrial Data Analytics and the Master of Science in Smart City Technologies and Applications — in the 2025/26 academic year.
The curriculum is designed to meet market needs by providing interdisciplinary hands-on experience and project-based learning that applies skills to real-world datasets, along with strong engagement with organizations through internships and networking opportunities for students, the university said.
READ MORE: Cyberport, Huawei Cloud ink MoU to drive AI, Web3 in HK
Starting from the 2024/25 academic year, the university will also require all first-year students to study generative AI. The mandatory subject will include generative AI’s basic concepts, evaluation methods and ethical considerations.
