Keynote Speakers

Prof. Hironori Washizaki
Waseda University, Japan

 

Prof. Dr. Hironori Washizaki is a Professor and the Associate Dean of the Research Promotion Division at Waseda University in Tokyo and a Visiting Professor at the National Institute of Informatics. He also works in the industry as Outside Directors of SYSTEM INFORMATION and eXmotion. Hironori’s research interests include systems and software engineering. He received his Ph.D. in information and computer science from Waseda University in 2003. Since 2017, he has been the lead on a large-scale grant at MEXT called enPiT-Pro SmartSE, which encompasses professional training and education in IoT, AI, software engineering, and business. He is also leading projects on STEM education with a particular focus on introductory programming environments. He currently serves as IEEE Computer Society Vice President for Professional and Educational Activities. He also serves as Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Emerging Topics in Computing, Editorial Board Member of MDPI Education Sciences, Steering Committee Member of the IEEE Conference on Software Engineering Education and Training, Advisory Committee Member of the IEEE CS flagship conference COMPSAC, and Convener of ISO/IEC/JTC1 SC7/WG20. For a complete publication list, see: http://www.washi.cs.waseda.ac.jp/publications/

 

Title: Blended Learning of Digital Transformation and Curricula Matching: "Smart SE", SFIA and CC2020

 

Abstract: The Smart Systems and Services Innovative Professional Education (Smart SE) program is a recurrent education program. The Smart SE program provides industry professionals working in information and communication technology and business with blended learning opportunities in smart software systems and digital transformation (DX). This talk will illustrate its purpose, curriculum, lessons learned, and features to respond to professional education needs. These features include MOOC courses, project-based learning, and curriculum organization based on reference models of skills and competencies, particularly SFIA Digital Transformation skills, a widely accepted IT skill framework. The presentation also addresses how the SFIA Digital Transformation skills can be mapped to Computing Curricula 2020 (CC2020), the latest university curriculum guideline. By mapping them, the talk will clarify what is common, and a gap in skills and competencies addressed in industry training and higher education curriculum.

 

 

Prof. Kuan-Chou Chen
Purdue University Northwest, USA

 

Kuan-Chou Chen is the Associate Dean for Graduate Program and Research, Thomas M. McDermott Sr. Endowed Chair, Professor in Economic Development, Professor of Management Information Systems. He was the Department Head of Information Systems, Finance, and Business Analytics (2005-2016), as well as Interim Department Head of Department of Graduate Studies in Education (2013-2014) at Purdue University Northwest. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University and his MBA from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. He specialized in computer programming, system simulation, project management, decision support systems, data mining, system analysis and design, e-business strategy and application, supply chain management, network design and security, knowledge management, and information economy. Professor Chen has more than 90 scholarly publications, most in peer-reviewed journals. He is an active participant in several professional journals and serves on three paper reviewer boards. Currently he is an Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning. His productivity and scholarship have been recognized by his colleagues, being nominated three years in a row for an “Outstanding Scholar Award.” He also the recipient of Teacher of the Year Award (Purdue University Northwest, 2005).

 

Title: Implementation of Adaptive Learning at e-Learning

 

Abstract: Learning is a process of acquiring new experience, knowledge, behavior, or skills. E-Learning is the learning that involves interaction between a learner and a digital environment. It may incorporate text, graphics, narration, sound effects, music, video, and animation to enhance the learning experience. There are also many different elements that can make up an e-Learning program, such as live or pre-recorded lecture content, video, quizzes, simulations, games, activities, and other interactive elements. Adaptive learning is an instructional method which uses digital tools as interactive teaching devices. Instructors use digital tools adapt to the learning needs of learners, helping them understand the underlying concepts quickly and efficiently. Specifically, instructors develop the presentation of learning materials according to students' weaknesses, as indicated by their responses to questions. The motivation is to allow e-Learning to incorporate the value of the interactivity afforded to a student by instructor. This presentation demonstrates adaptive learning techniques and its application to the e-Learning course. The objective of utilizing adaptive learning is to identify level of students’ knowledge and their learning styles and transform materials, tasks and ways of their delivery according to the needs of learning process participants.

 

 

Prof. Yongsheng Ma
Southern University of Science and Technology, China

 

Dr. Yongsheng Ma has been a full professor at Southern University of Science and Engineering in Shenzhen, China since July, 2021. Before that he had been a full professor at University of Alberta where he had joined since 2007. Dr. Ma is also a member of ASME, ASEE, SME, SPE, CSME and an Alberta registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). His main research areas include engineering informatics for design and manufacturing, CADCAM, and product lifecycle management. Dr. Ma received his B.Eng. from Tsinghua University, Beijing (1986), both M.Sc. (1990) and Ph.D. (1994) from UMIST, UK. In 2000-2007, he was an associate professor with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Dr. Ma started career as a Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturer in Singapore (1993); and then a senior research fellow and group manager (1996-2000) at Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology. Dr. Ma has published more than 200 internationally recognized top journal and conference papers, and two specialty books. Dr. Ma had been an associate editor of IEEE Transaction of Automation Science and Engineering (2009-2013). In 2012, he won the prestigious ASTech award sponsored by The Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Foundation together with Drader Manufacturing Ltd. Dr. Ma had been engaged for collaboration with many academic institutions and industrial partners internationally. 2019-2020, Dr. Ma had been a visiting professor of SUSTech (China). Since 2020, Dr. Ma has become an associate editor for Advanced Engineering Informatics (Elsevier), ASME Journal of Computer Information Science and Engineering (JCISE), and Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering – Digital Manufacturing (Frontiers, open access). He also serves as an Editorial Member for Scientific Reports published by Springer Nature.