(Translated from Japanese)
I studied statistics at university. However the content was mainly theoretical and did not focus on applications to a realistic commercial environment such as how to build an advertisement effect measurement model using time series modeling, data handling programming such as Python, R, and so on. I realized the importance of such tasks and my own lack of skills only when I got a job as a data analyst. So I decided to attend graduate school to learn more.
There is no highly practical data science MSc in Hong Kong. The master’s programs in Hong Kong lack training in information processing skills, and I completed many of the existing courses as an undergraduate. Therefore, I planned to study abroad rather than attend a graduate school in Hong Kong. Through the DS program at Kansai University’s Graduate School of Commerce, you can experience a data scientist internship as well as participate in industry collaboration workshops. I have always wanted to make use of the knowledge and skills I learned in my actual workplace. Compared to other overseas graduate schools, I felt that the data scientist development program, which emphasizes practical skill development, is unique to Kansai University. For these reasons, I thought that Kansai University’s Graduate School of Commerce is a great place to study data science.
Currently I am doing research on a supermarket product area recommendation system based on customer flow lines. In recent years, thanks to the development of mail order sales, recommendation systems are increasingly popular in daily life. In addition to mail order sales, the recommendation system can be applied to offline physical environments such as supermarkets and shopping malls. Existing recommendation systems implemented at supermarkets are based solely on customer purchase history. However, the information received from customer flow lines can also clarify customer preferences. Therefore, as research, we are constructing a product area recommendation system in a supermarket based on customer flow lines.
Among the various themes related to data science I am most interested in consumer behavior psychology. As all customers take actions, they all appear in the data, so I analyze this and construct a model to predict customer behavior. Using that, we can devise management measures such as product development for customers, store arrangement and product promotion. It is interesting to study something where you can apply your research to real situations.
After graduating from Kansai University’s Graduate School of Commerce, I would like to work for a company in Hong Kong as a data scientist. If you’re proficient in data science, it’s practical to try become an instructor or consultant in the relevant area to convey your knowledge.