Computational and Data Science has revolutionized the processes of scientific discoveries and technological innovations due to the availability of massive scientific datasets, increased computing facilities such as graphic processing units, and algorithmic innovations. These exciting advances have necessitated the development of innovative computational methods as well as new mathematical theories to meet increasingly challenging demands. In recent years, the mathematical community has responded to this growing demand for mathematically proven solutions in the industry. Dedicated research programs such as the Fields Institute in Canada, Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics and Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics in the United States, Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences and International Centre for Mathematical Sciences in the UK, as well as International Centre Meetings Mathematiques (Marseille) and Poincare Institute in France promote new methodological developments and relevant mathematical theory and continue to research on various mathematical, computational, and statistical problems arising from technological advancements.
Computational and Data Science is a highly interdisciplinary burgeoning research field that includes tools from areas outside mathematics such as computer science, statistics, medical sciences, and engineering. Researchers in this area have strong analytical and problem-solving skills built upon a background in computing, mathematics, statistics, and basic science. Numerous reports and studies carried out by professional organizations show that there is a fast-growing demand in the workforce for scholars with both mathematical and practical skills to work with engineers and business managers.
Computational and Data Science is also a well-established field within the mathematics community, as evidenced by the recent establishment of professional journals such as the SIAM Journal on Mathematics of Data Sciences, professional societies, and conference series such as the SIAM Conference on Mathematics of Data Science. It is widely accepted that mathematics will play a key role in establishing artificial intelligence as the next generation enabling technology across a wide variety of sectors of the society, e.g., medical imaging / healthcare, autonomous driving, computer vision, financial derivatives.
The main objective of the upcoming conference, jointly organized by The Department of Mathematics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), The Department of Mathematics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and Hong Kong Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (HKSIAM), is to bring together leading researchers, research students, and practitioners with an interest in the theoretical, computational, and practical aspects of scientific computing, optimization, image processing, and data science. One of the aims of the conference is to promote data science in Hong Kong by providing a forum for participants to exchange ideas and discuss their latest research developments. This conference will cover recent progress, stimulate new ideas, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations. It will emphasize the crucial and unique role of mathematical insights in advanced algorithm design and novel real-world applications.
