The promise of DATA today

Knowledge of data science is a must for the future

- It has been one year since the establishment of the DX Initiative. I understand that some new divisions have been established this year.

Taniguchi:　Yes. In April, we established the Division of Healthcare Digital Transformation to lead the medical side of operations. In May, we also established the Division of Administrative DX Promotion to provide operational support for our initiative. Both divisions are preparing to commence operations.

- We look forward to their future contributions. By the way, "Information I" has been compulsory in high schools since last school year, requiring students to learn data skills. It also requires students to think mathematically, but what advice would you give to high school students who struggle with mathematics?

Uchida:　It is becoming more common to use data in all fields in some form or another. From now on, knowledge of data science is a must. Data science and data analysis may sound daunting, but in fact, everyone already uses them. For example, have you ever had a photo you took with your smartphone in the past automatically show up as a memory? This is because the smartphone analyzes the photos as data and displays specific ones under certain conditions. And whenever you scan a menu in a restaurant and think the food must be good, you are really analyzing the data of your past experiences. Even if you aren’t good at mathematics, there’s no need to be concerned. First, understand that everyday life is full of data analysis, and then shift your focus to the mathematical principles behind that analysis. I think it’s important and interesting to know how data is processed.

- Thank you. The DX Initiative promotes data-driven education, research, and healthcare. The term "data-driven" is not one we hear very often. What meaning would you ascribe to it?

Taniguchi:　It means to collect a wide variety of data and to analyze and utilize it proactively for decision-making and problem-solving. The DX Initiative aims not just to achieve digital transformation in the narrow sense of improving operational efficiency, but rather to use data to create mechanisms that enable the university to put integrative knowledge into practice across its departments. As such, in addition to “digital,” the “D” in the “DX Initiative” abbreviation can also stand for “data.”

- Why has data become so important in recent years?

Uchida:　I think this is due to the fact that it has become common practice to make academic claims based on objective data. Increasingly, papers and data must be submitted together, or they will not be recognized. In addition, the materials for analysis are becoming more diverse. When you think of data, you may think of numerical values in Excel tables and the like, but it can also include verbal information such as conversations and images. As the amount of data has grown, so have the tools used to analyze it. Data is increasingly being used in education, research, and medicine.

Data as the common language that links different fields

- What role do you think data will play in Kyushu University's goal to become a “university that drives social change with integrative knowledge?”

Uchida:　Each research field concerns itself with various objects, such as old documents or radiographs. If these could be quantified, a common method of analysis could be applied to all of them. Data serves as a common language that links different disciplines, playing a crucial role in understanding each other's areas of expertise.

Taniguchi:　Indeed. I think one of the advantages associated with integrative knowledge is that it enables the use of common tools to share data that previously could only be handled by people in specialized fields. In addition, we are now able to make decisions based on data in cases where we previously had to rely on experience and intuition. For example, at our university, this applies to design. What people have been judging via “feeling” can be evaluated objectively by transforming it into data. If we explore new designs with this methodology, we can achieve expressions unlike anything seen before and can expect new value to be created by data-driven methods.

- Can you tell us specifically about the DX efforts in education, research, and medicine undertaken by the initiative?

Taniguchi:　Yes. First, there are two perspectives on education data: data science and educational and academic services. Speaking from the educational and academic services perspective, Kyushu University was one of the first universities in Japan to establish a digital learning environment and has been conducting advanced research on online classes. For example, assessing students' understanding of a class used to rely on the experiential knowledge of the faculty. Now, however, it is evaluated using objective numerical data derived from digitizing learning situations from various angles and conducting a comprehensive analysis. In addition, we are also working to develop realistic next-generation digital teaching materials using the latest ICT (see Figure 1).

- How about from the data science perspective?

Uchida:　The Education and Research Center for Mathematical and Data Science, where I serve as the director, offers data science learning opportunities to everyone, from first-year undergraduates to graduate students and faculty, regardless of department. The diverse content ranges from basic mathematics to statistics, image processing, AI, programming, and more. The courses offered are taken by students of various backgrounds. Students with humanities backgrounds who have entered graduate school and need data analysis skills take the courses to re-learn material. Newly admitted students eager for knowledge take the courses immediately after entering the university. Given that many students enroll not for credit but because they recognize the importance of data science, we always try to keep the door open. This way, anyone can take the course whenever they want to learn. We regularly hold presentation sessions where people with both science and humanities backgrounds can present findings to each other using data as a common language. There are all sorts of discoveries—it’s a really intriguing environment.

Engaging in collaborative research across disciplines: data transcends global boundaries

- How is DX being applied in research?

Taniguchi:　In order to prove the fairness of the research and that it was conducted accurately, it's important to properly manage the research data and make it available to everyone. Also, by making research data publicly available, you open up possibilities of inspiring other research, collaborating with previously unknown researchers, and making new breakthroughs. However, it was difficult for busy researchers to properly manage their research data. To deal with this, we have established the Division of Research Data Service. Going forward, we plan to help researchers and faculty members manage their data more easily.

Uchida:　In my field of image informatics, we collaborate with people in different fields. For example, in collaboration with biological researchers, I have been involved in papers in which cell movements and other data were converted into image data. It is a great joy to learn about an unknown world—it expands your whole outlook.

Taniguchi:　The establishment of this initiative will make it easier to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration throughout Kyushu University. As a result, we hope it will be a catalyst for innovation.

- What is your approach to healthcare?

Taniguchi:　In the medical world, treatment was initially based on pathological information such as blood pressure and other numerical values. Since then, new data in the form of genetic information has been added to the mix, giving medicine a new look. We intend to use environmental data in addition to this. We hope to provide better medical care by utilizing information on patient lifestyles and behaviors.

- To finish things off, please share some words with current students and high school students who are considering Kyushu University.

Taniguchi:　I hope that students will be thoroughly aware of the importance of data and learn how to put it to good use at our university.

Uchida:　I would like them to realize that data is interesting. It’s truly accessible and not just for geniuses. If this piques your interest, you’ll discover its beauty once you understand the mathematics behind it.

Taniguchi:　Data is the common language not only in Japan but throughout the world. It even crosses the barriers of globalization. We hope that you will expand your possibilities at our university, which provides an environment that fosters integrative knowledge.