Kyoto Women's University plans to open a data science faculty in April 2023 (pending approval).We interviewed President Eiko Takeyasu and Professor Koji Kurihara, director of Kyoto Women's University's Data Science Research Institute and scheduled to become dean of the new faculty, about the background to the establishment and the characteristics of learning.

Data science challenged by Kyoto Women's University
Background of female data scientist development

　Kyoto Women's University will celebrate its 2020th anniversary in 100, and has formulated a second grand vision for the next 100 years.One of the topics is the idea of ​​establishing a data science department.

　The current Faculty of Contemporary Social Sciences also had a foundation for learning data science in the information system major, but with the aim of cultivating human resources who can create new value in line with the changing times, and promoting reforms in the faculty, etc., mathematics The university will work on the establishment of a new department, the Faculty of Data Science, which fuses the humanities and sciences and requires knowledge.

　Kyoto Women's University, which has set the goal of achieving gender equality, sees it as a major mission to take up the challenge of data science, which is a fusion of humanities and sciences, as an academic field that will create the future.

　“From now on, the analysis and utilization of data will progress in all aspects of society, and new value will be created based on that data. I'm afraid that it will end up being overrun," said President Eiko Takeyasu of the background to the establishment of the new faculty.

Acquire data science "carefully"

At Kyoto Women's University, the emphasis is on learning data science "carefully".

　Professor Koji Kurihara says, "Our hope is that the students of the Faculty of Data Science will be able to read and understand data and use it to spread their wings in all kinds of industries. , Don't give up just because you're not good at mathematics.As a faculty that fuses the humanities and sciences, we've expanded our horizons, and we've created an environment where you can "carefully" learn data science with generous support, such as pre-enrollment education and post-enrollment supplementary lessons. We are also considering having graduate students from Shiga University, our partner institution and the first data science department established in Japan in 2017, to cooperate as teaching assistants.”

　What I want students to acquire is the ability to connect data science to solving social issues and creating new value.To that end, the curriculum consists of three areas: "statistics," "social science," and "informatics." Based on "statistics" and "informatics," students learn social sciences such as economics, business administration, and sociology. .

　The goal of Kyoto Women's University's Faculty of Data Science is not simply to acquire IT skills, but to produce human resources who can make use of the skills they have acquired and be involved in decision-making in various fields. is.To that end, we have introduced problem-solving learning (PBL), in which students discover familiar issues and find ways to solve them, and are planning classes with guest speakers from local companies and government agencies.

　President Takeyasu said, "I want students to be aware of how what they are learning now will lead to solutions to actual social problems, and to improve their practical skills." He expressed his expectations for the students.

　Furthermore, in collaboration with the Association of Data Scientists, various lecturers, including women who are active in the front lines of data science, will be in charge of lectures.
Professor Kurihara continues, "Hearing directly from lecturers who are actually active in society will help students form their vision for the future, and it should also lead to increased motivation."

Looking towards the next 100 years
　Human resources who can “read the true intentions of society” and create new value

Kyoto Women's University, which has traditionally focused on liberal arts faculties, is expected to expand and deepen the breadth and depth of cross-departmental research as well as the breadth and depth of university-wide education and research through the establishment of a new faculty that fuses the humanities and sciences.For example, the Department of Food and Nutrition in the Faculty of Home Economics is based on the keyword "women's health", and the Department of Children's Education in the Faculty of Human Development and Education is based on "childcare". can be considered.
　
　Professor Kurihara, who was invited to Kyoto Women's University for the establishment of the new faculty, expressed his expectations for the students. “There are many highly ambitious students at our university. I hope that those students who are aiming to enter Kyoto Women’s University will aspire to join the Faculty of Data Science with a strong desire to become female pioneers in this field.” I think"

　President Takeyasu said, "We have already received enthusiastic offers from various companies. You will surely acquire the ability to be active in all industries, from private companies to government and teachers. Please try this new learning challenge. ”, showing the potential of the Data Science Faculty.

　Kyoto Women's University has started a new 100 years.In the future, the Faculty of Data Science is expected to produce a data scientist who "reads the true intentions of society and creates a better future."