Program

The Data Entrepreneur Fellows Program (DEFP – “program” hereafter) is a human resource development program by the Data Entrepreneur Consortium of UEC and was accredited as a Doctoral program for Data-Related InnoVation Expert (D-DRIVE) by MEXT. In courtesy of the SEI Group, CSR Foundation has kindly provided the program with monetary support upon its establishment in 2015, the University of Electro-Communications has since offered the Data Entrepreneur Program (DEP). The UEC hopes to maintain initiatives in further advancing the fostering of top-level human resources in data science through the program for people from various professional backgrounds with outstanding potentials.

Mission

The program fosters the “data entrepreneurs” who have a background as data scientists to start value-creating businesses. The program also encourages students to acquire skillsets as data scientists and the frontier spirits in business, and to experience a practical problem-solving to create new businesses that society needs.

 

Process

This project has three phases: Talent Discovery, Development, and Activity Empowerment. The project’s development phase consists of four steps: Fundamentals, Applications, Interactive, and Hands-on/Practical – leveraging PAL(Project-based Active Learning). Admissions are open to applicants with or without backgrounds in Information Science. Lectures in e-Learning formats during the “Fundamentals” step enable participation over the Internet. Students are supported with career guidance, consultation, and job placement for the Activity Empowerment.

 

Overview

This is a postgraduate doctoral-level program. Courses: “Data Entrepreneur Practical Theory” and “Advanced Data Scientist” are offered to participants who completed graduate-school studies as shown in the chart: Mathematics and Statistics, Data Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Management Engineering. Students will experience research and hands-on practices through joint research programs and internships.

 

Coverage

This program aims to assist participants to strengthen capabilities represented by vertical gray boxes in various academic and industrial fields represented by the horizontal boxes. Both the capabilities and fields are subject to change according to social and economic needs.

 

Data Platform

The program develops human resources using Data Analytics Training Architecture based Infrastructure (DATA-I), a data infrastructure dedicated to human resource development. The platform provides a robust system with reliable storage servers and secured communications.

 

Lecture Room

Through the program, a dedicated lecture space is prepared in Ambient Intelligence Agora (AIA), an advanced learning space in the university library in Building E-3. Students can use interactive aggregation systems and flexible desk chairs to enhance learning in the classroom and group work.

 

Library

The Data Science Library is located in the university library in Building E-3. The library has a collection of 1,000 books, and available only for students participating in the program, and regularly replenished with the latest technical publications focused on data science.

 

Data Science Library Page

 

 

Certificate of Completion

Students who meet the completion requirements receive a certificate of completion.

 

Award

Grand Prize is awarded to the student who has achieved the best results among the participating students who have met the completion requirements. The Consortium Representative awards an obelisk-shaped commemorative plaque.

 

History

Academic Year	Topics
2020	The data analysis examination for Python3 engineer certificatewas first adoptedin Japan. Held the conference “The Forefront of Data Science” Conducted 2intensive lectureseries and 3 e-Learning courses for 6th term.
2019	Sony Neural Network Console was first adopted as a regular course in graduate school. Established the Extension Promotion Support Office in the Center for Industrial, Academic and Governmental Relations. Held the conference “Data Science and Quantum Computers.” Conducted 2 intensive lecture series and 3 e-Learning courses for 5th term.
2018	An advanced technology training program was adopted by UEC. Held the conference “Data Science and Internet of Things.” Conducted 2 intensive lecture series and 3 e-Learning courses for 4th term.
2017	Adopted by the MEXT’s Data-related Human Resource Development Program of the Grant-in-Aid for Human Resource Development in Science and Technology. Adopted as a regular course byUEC. Held the conference “Data Science and Cybersecurity.” Conducted 2 intensive lecture series and 10 speciallectures for 3rd term.
2016	Partnered with IBM Watson for the first academic license in Japan. Held the conference “Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.” Conducted 2 intensive lecture series and 10 speciallectures for 2nd term.
2015	Received donations for university courses from the SEI Group CSR Foundation. Held the conference “The Forefront of Data Science.” Conducted 2 intensive lecture series and 9 speciallectures for1st term.