A new page in 150 years of history in data science [Rissho University] --University Journal Online

AI Strategy 2019 Society 5.0 Data scientist

Fostering "data scientists who can play an active role in the field" through the fusion of literature and science

Rissho University will celebrate its 2022th anniversary in 150 with the educational vision of "cultivating'moralists x experts'."The Faculty of Data Science (tentative name) is scheduled to be installed one year ahead of that memorable year.A faculty specializing in a new framework of information science that analyzes a large amount of collected data from various angles using advanced information technology and uses it to solve various social issues. The government's Society 5.0 concept and "AI strategy" Keep pace with the educational reforms set forth in 2019.Regarding the new faculty, Professor Yukinobu Kitamura, who will be the dean of the faculty, talked about the background of the establishment, the goals, the image of human resources required, and the enthusiasm for opening the new faculty.

Anticipate national education reform

　It was about a year ago that I was asked to participate when I was told about the idea of opening a new faculty.Higher education in Japan lags behind Europe and the United States in the field of data science, and I always thought that I had to do something about it, so I agreed with many things that resonated with me.From there, we have been passionate about everything from recruiting teachers to creating a curriculum.

　The beginning of the relationship was that I often worked with the president, Professor Hiroshi Yoshikawa * XNUMX, at the government and the Bank of Japan's study groups, and I was well aware of my spirit.Professor Yoshikawa has always pointed out that Japan has a weak statistical sector based on his experience in government statistics, and has emphasized the need for policy making based on the evidence of data.

　Meanwhile, in the world business, the data platformer symbolized by GAFA is gathering information on the Internet and taking the initiative, and Japan has no choice but to keep up with it.It is true that Japan has a lot of data, but neither the country nor the companies have noticed its value and have not been able to use it.However, there is an urgent need to switch heads around here and make effective use of them.There is a possibility that new value will be created from there, and it may be possible to demonstrate Japan's unique strengths.In the words of President Yoshikawa, it means "value creation," but I would like to play a part in that as a new faculty.Regarding human resource development for that purpose, in addition to the data science education * XNUMX that is about to start throughout the university under the initiative of the government, I would like to take on the challenge of intensive training in the faculty.As for the school, if we were to create a new faculty in this era, it was conceived that a faculty specializing in data science education would be the most suitable.

* 1: From 2019, the 34th president.Economist, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo.
* 2: In the educational reforms set forth in "AI Strategy 2019," all university and technical college students (about 50 graduates / year), regardless of literacy, will be offered beginner-level mathematics, data science, and AI in the course. "Learn"