Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    A BIG Data Research Institute was officially opened at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) during the weekend. It will provide support for the development of the city’s future-oriented industries.

    The primary task of the research institute is to recruit young researchers from around the world, according to Luo Zhiquan, the director of the research institute, also vice president of CUHK(SZ).

    According to Luo, the research institute will provide data analysis for three main purposes, to better allocate Internet resources, to assist the government in making urban management decisions, and to aid the development of intelligent health care systems.

    The team for “Dealing with and applying Big Data” is led by Luo. Luo is the founder of the institute. The team has been included in Shenzhen’s “Peacock Plan,” a city-wide campaign that encourages the attraction of global talent to innovative industries.

    The team consists of a Nobel-Prize winner, an academic from the Royal Canadian Academy of Science and two research specialists from China’s national recruitment program for global experts.

    Luo said that the municipal government is backing the institute’s establishment with funding and technological support. For CUHK(SZ), the founding of the Big Data Research Institute will also be an appealing factor for future students and researchers as well as high-end technology companies and government projects, said Luo.

    Several projects have already been launched between the research institute and Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital and Luohu People’s Hospital. Some government departments and corporations outside of Shenzhen are also negotiating with the institute about future projects.

    The university recently announced it would add three more majors for this autumn and enroll around 800 students from 22 provinces and cities around the country. The university uses an admission system different from other Chinese universities, which heavily rely on the gaokao.

    The university’s President, Xu Yangsheng, said at a media conference last Friday that admission officers are now in Russia promoting the university. Xu said that CUHK(SZ) is considering increasing the ratio of international students.

    Recruitment of professors and teachers is ongoing, said Xu.