Realisations and Importance of research in Computer Science

1. Realisations and Importance of research in Computer Science Ann Nowé Rafael Bello Perez

2. What this talk is about • Computer Science • Computers for Science • eScience Network

3. But first: some realisations in CS within the VLIR-IUC program of UCLV • recycling scholarships in Flemish universities 22 UCLV faculties joint research work during 1 to 3 months • 25 courses by Flemish faculties in the PhD program • research stays by 17 UCLV PhD students • 3 joint PhDs • 3 students received Flemish PhD scholarships • significant infrastructure improvements • the project supported the participation in 40 conferences and the presentation of 64 papers

4. But first: some realisations in CS within the VLIR-IUC program of UCLV • What about the Flemish side? • 3 joint PhDs • 3 PhDs received Flemish PhD scholarships • Many joint publications and additional research topics

5. My co-author list (top 20, taken from DBLP) KatjaVerbeeck(23) Kris Steenhaut(19) Peter Vrancx(18) Karl Tuyls(15) Rafael Bello(9) Johan Parent(8) Yann-Michaël De Hauwere(7) Maarten Peeters(6) Walter Colitti(6) Yann-Aël Le Borgne(4) YailenMartínez(4) María M. García(4) AmilkarPuris(4) Pasquale Gurzi(4) Yudel Gómez(4) Tom Lenaerts(3) YvanSaeys(3)MihailMihaylov(3) Sven Van Segbroeck(3) Abdel Rodríguez(2)

6. Computer Science A definition • The study of computer technology, both software and hardware. • Software Systems • Software Engineering • Telecommunication • Information Systems • Computer Networks • Artificial Intelligence • Human-Computer Interaction • Natural Language Processing • Image Processing • Computer Aided Engineering • … • Hardware Systems • Computer Architecture • Computer Networks • Robotics • Embedded Systems • … Hardware Systems Computer Architecture Computer Networks Robotics Embedded Systems … Computer Theory Discrete Mathematics Algorithms Graph Theory Computability Theory Complexity Theory Probability Statistics Cryptography … • Computer Theory • Discrete Mathematics • Algorithms • Graph Theory • Computability Theory • Complexity Theory • Probability • Statistics • Cryptography • … • Software Systems • Software Engineering • Telecommunication • Information Systems • Computer Networks • Artificial Intelligence • Human-Computer Interaction • Natural Language Processing • Image Processing • Computer Aided Engineering • … • Scientific Computing Numerical Analysis Bioinformatics Medical Informatics Computational Chemistry Simulation and Modeling ……

7. Computers for Science • Computer science has certainly become a core discipline -- a discipline of study in itself -- and one that continues to grow. • However, a rather unique aspect of computer science is that it's not only a very broad discipline, but that it has exceptionally broad application to nearly every other discipline imaginable: Education (e-learning), Library & publishing, Biology, Medicine, Manufacturing, Transport, Defense, ….

8. E-Science • “e-Science is about developing and applying advanced tools within information and communication technology (ICT) in order to exploit a new mode of advancing research, complementing theory and experiments. e- Science is also about global collaboration within key areas of science, and about the next generation of infrastructures that will enable it. ”[2011, Sverker Holmgren, Nordforsk] • “eScience, promises to revolutionise the scientific discovery process, as did the ‘Scientific Renaissance’ in laying the basis for modern science. [2009 communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament on ICT Infrastructures for eScience]

9. eScience Network • Observations • IUC project research in CS is very successful • SC is a broad scientific discipline • SC is very interdisciplinary • SC supports other sciences, but is much more than using computers • Computer Science/ICT is recognized as a main branch by Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba • Cuba has high level ambitions in : biotechnology, pharmacy, tourism, green energy and ICT tools for industry in general.

10. eScience Network, Why? • Why a network is the next step? • Ideal way of disseminating capacity built at UCLV • Other Cuban institutions also have capacity available • Expertise • Infrastructure • Tight link through industry and society • Manpower

11. eScience Network, But! • Network must be well thought over • Network should • Reach many students from whole of Cuba • Link with society must be guaranteed • SC as a discipline in itself, but also as a support for other disciplines • Trained staff and PhDs should play key role (train the trainers), but also have sufficient opportunities for further research.

12. eScience Network, How? • UCLV as a hub • Phase 1: Organisation of “summer”-schools at institutions with • Sufficient infrastructure • Reach many students from whole of Cuba • Link with society by whom • Cuban and Flemish staff and PhDs • CS, eLearning, Library, … • Phase 2: Call for PhD candidates • Phase 3: Initial training of PhDs with available Cuban capacity • Phase 4: Sandwich PhD training

13. More details Please join the session on Network Activities Thanks for your attention!