[Interview] Prof. Cho Wan-seop "Chungbuk University to Become a Big Data Talent Officer"
November 21, 2014, 16:00 Reporter Bang Eun-ju
"Next March, we will open a big data department in the regular graduate school's master's and doctoral programs.
Although located in the region, Chungbuk University will play the role of a talent officer for producing specialized
big data personnel."
<Prof. Cho Wan-seop, Chungbuk University>
Last March, Cho Wan-seop, head of the Business Data Fusion Department at Chungbuk University (professor of business
information), who first established the master's program in big data field in Korea, expressed his aspiration to present a
standard model for big data education in Korea.
Big data is a global hot topic, not only in Korea. Since June 2011, when the global consulting firm McKinsey mentioned it
as the next generation leader of innovation and competition, it has been sweeping the world. It is known that there are
more than 40 big data graduate programs in the United States, the birthplace of big data.
Prof. Cho said, "The department we established is a master's program in software supported by employment contracts
supported by the government (former Ministry of Knowledge Economy)." He stated, "This year, we graduated the first
batch of 20 students, 10 in February and 10 in August, and they all found employment in big data-related companies."
Chungbuk University's Business Data Fusion Department recruits 10 to 20 students twice a year, in the first and second
halves of the year. They provide 100% scholarships, and the faculty consists of professors from five departments:
Business Information, Business Administration, Digital Information Fusion, Information Statistics, and Software
Engineering.
One of Chungbuk University's strengths is its advanced practical environment equipped with analysis packages. Since it
is employment-linked, most graduates have already secured jobs while in school. About 10 companies, including BH
Consulting, DFOCUS, and Green Optics, have signed employment-related agreements with Chungbuk University.
Prof. Cho said, "We are implementing an industry-academia cooperation system where companies are responsible for
half of the curriculum to produce competent big data experts." He predicted, "Big data will revolutionize every field,
including medicine, life sciences, manufacturing, marketing, public administration, disaster safety, welfare, construction,
and transportation."
Operating the big data department as a fusion department also has its drawbacks. Due to the merger of three
departments - Business, IT, and Information Statistics - into one big data department, the big data department is not
affiliated with any specific department such as the Business School, Natural Sciences, or Engineering.
Prof. Cho said, "It is said that fusion is the only way to survive, but there is no place for a proper fusion department to
take root in Korean universities." He emphasized, "For Korea to become a big data powerhouse, organizations need to
enhance their analytical capabilities and establish a culture that values data."
Cheongju = Reporter Bang Eun-ju, ejbang@etnews.com
https://www.etnews.com/20141121000160
[Interview] Prof. Cho Wan-seop "Chungbuk University to Become a Big Data Talent Officer"
November 21, 2014, 16:00 Reporter Bang Eun-ju
"Next March, we will open a big data department in the regular graduate school's master's and doctoral programs.
Although located in the region, Chungbuk University will play the role of a talent officer for producing specialized
big data personnel."
<Prof. Cho Wan-seop, Chungbuk University>
Last March, Cho Wan-seop, head of the Business Data Fusion Department at Chungbuk University (professor of business
information), who first established the master's program in big data field in Korea, expressed his aspiration to present a
standard model for big data education in Korea.
Big data is a global hot topic, not only in Korea. Since June 2011, when the global consulting firm McKinsey mentioned it
as the next generation leader of innovation and competition, it has been sweeping the world. It is known that there are
more than 40 big data graduate programs in the United States, the birthplace of big data.
Prof. Cho said, "The department we established is a master's program in software supported by employment contracts
supported by the government (former Ministry of Knowledge Economy)." He stated, "This year, we graduated the first
batch of 20 students, 10 in February and 10 in August, and they all found employment in big data-related companies."
Chungbuk University's Business Data Fusion Department recruits 10 to 20 students twice a year, in the first and second
halves of the year. They provide 100% scholarships, and the faculty consists of professors from five departments:
Business Information, Business Administration, Digital Information Fusion, Information Statistics, and Software
Engineering.
One of Chungbuk University's strengths is its advanced practical environment equipped with analysis packages. Since it
is employment-linked, most graduates have already secured jobs while in school. About 10 companies, including BH
Consulting, DFOCUS, and Green Optics, have signed employment-related agreements with Chungbuk University.
Prof. Cho said, "We are implementing an industry-academia cooperation system where companies are responsible for
half of the curriculum to produce competent big data experts." He predicted, "Big data will revolutionize every field,
including medicine, life sciences, manufacturing, marketing, public administration, disaster safety, welfare, construction,
and transportation."
Operating the big data department as a fusion department also has its drawbacks. Due to the merger of three
departments - Business, IT, and Information Statistics - into one big data department, the big data department is not
affiliated with any specific department such as the Business School, Natural Sciences, or Engineering.
Prof. Cho said, "It is said that fusion is the only way to survive, but there is no place for a proper fusion department to
take root in Korean universities." He emphasized, "For Korea to become a big data powerhouse, organizations need to
enhance their analytical capabilities and establish a culture that values data."
Cheongju = Reporter Bang Eun-ju, ejbang@etnews.com
https://www.etnews.com/20141121000160