Interview with Prof. Zhao Junhua | The advantages of MSc in Data Science Programeme
The Integration of Business and Technology for More Diversity
With the widespread application of cutting-edge technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence (AI), industries have a huge demand for talents with the knowledge of information technology and business. Unlike most universities in Mainland that only run programmes of big data and AI concentration, or traditional finance and economics courses separately, the programme of data science focuses on the integration of leading-edge theories as well as methodologies of big data and business analysis. The unique feature of this programme is the aim to cultivate talents with knowledge of technology and business, Prof. Zhao Junhua, co-director of the MSc in Data Science Programme, commented.
To achieve the goal, a faculty team with academic background of management, economics and technology was gathered for this programme specially. The classes are offered by professors from CUHK-Shenzhen, School of Management and Economics, School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data, and Shenzhen Finance Institute. “For example, Fintech Theory and Practice is offered by Prof. Zhang Bohui, co-director of the programme. Led by Prof. Zhang, I participate in teaching the course of AI concentration. Practitioners from industries also provide practices for our students,” Prof. Zhao explained.
Strengthened by the comprehensive knowledge of business and technology, graduates from this programme have more choices for jobs opportunities. For example, compared with students from the programme of financial engineering that emphasizes on the ability of quantitative analysis, the students from our programme of data science are able to take up a job both in finance and IT industries. According to Prof. Zhao, 39% of graduates of Class 2019 work in financial institutions, such as Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Ant Financial, and 23% of graduates work in IT companies, such as Huawei, OPPO, etc. Their career choices are very diversified.
Improve Students’ Applied Skills for Employments
Prof. Zhao Junhua introduced that the courses is designed for practical use, with a focus on industrial application. Moreover, with the emphasis to develop the ability in programming and quantitative analysis, the programme offers a series of advanced courses, including Big Data, Machine Learning, AI, and BlockChain. The setting of the curriculum adapts to the new era and meets the demand for talents in the job market. It is worth mentioning that teachers in classes are not only our professors but also senior executives from industries. “We invite many experienced experts to offer classes for students. They introduce the latest cases and valuable experiences to students and even guide them to finish programmes, such as the big data healthcare program. Therefore, our students will improve their professional skills and abilities for practical applications.
Prof. Zhao said the programme is designed not only for exams, but to encourage students to learn more knowledge from practices. The six-credit Capstone Project in the programme aims to help students apply their latest knowledge learned from industrial practices to graduation thesis. Guided by industrial experts and academic professors, they will know how to better combine theories and practices. The programme provides internship opportunities at well-known companies at home and abroad for all students, such as Ant Financial, JD Finance, Ping An Technology, Huawei, Tencent, Shenzhen Stock Exchange and etc. The projects our students participate are both practical and advanced in the industry.
Prof. Zhao has a deep impression on a JD Finance project. Based on machine learning, students analyzed personal credit via E-business data to provide personal loan service for companies. “This kind of opportunity is very helpful to students. On one hand, some students directly receive return offers from companies after fulfilling internships. For example, students worked in Ant Financial gained offers because of the outstanding performance during their internship. On the other hand, the rich experience from practices is regarded as an golden ticket for students to seek jobs in the future. For instance, a student who worked at Morningstar during the internship accumulated working experience and successfully received offers from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.”
“Besides providing internships at the top-level institutions at home, through personal contact, Prof. Zhang Bohui and I also create opportunities of internships overseas for students”, Prof. Zhao said. At present, the programme has formed a partnership with CMCRC (Capital Markets Cooperative Research Center, Sydney) to offer summer internships abroad. According to Prof. Zhao, graduates from Class 2019 have gained the opportunities to work at Shopee in Singapore.
