Big Data and Informatics – Computing Solutions
We are living in exciting times, in which the traditional “offline” world is constantly “online” and where this new “online” world is influencing more and more the “offline” one (O2O). The convergence of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and the Internet of Systems are at the core of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and are impacting on most scientific disciplines, economies, and industries. At the same time, we are experiencing a 2nd Quantum Revolution, which exploits the “spooky” properties of Quantum Mechanics, to give us access to formidable new technologies, such as quantum metrology, quantum communication and quantum computing, which will be crucial to the success of the Big Data centred 4th Industrial revolution.
KZN embraces these ground shifting developments and is ready to exploit the countless opportunities that the 4th Industrial Revolution and the 2nd Quantum Revolution are offering. UKZN is already a global leader in some areas of the Mathematical, Physical and Biological Sciences and Engineering, ranging from astronomy to bioinformatics and from quantum information processing to Big Data analytics. Common to these areas is the use of the most advanced classical and quantum computational techniques for generating innovative, competitive and productive solutions.
The Research Flagship, Big Data and Informatics: Computing Solutions offers UKZN the opportunity to build on existing strengths to expand to a focused set of high impact research and development studies of relevance to the promotion of the 4th Industrial Revolution in Africa. The Flagship involves the identification and establishment of trans-disciplinary areas of research that traverse the boundaries of existing Colleges and Schools. It will train students that master the fusion of technologies that are blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres and are ready to take advantage of the disruptive innovations of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Flagship will develop tools relevant to all Flagships and academic activities of the University.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal aims at becoming the pioneer of the intersection of classical and quantum information processing for Big Data analytics in South Africa. Being able to exploit Big Data as an instrument to create value and to address both local and global challenges, as well as fundamental science questions, requires research and innovation in analysis techniques and technology. The capturing and processing of Big Data are central to the scientific and technological achievements of the Flagship. UKZN wants to be a leader in the science underpinning the convergence of disruptive digital technologies and breakthroughs in the physical and biological sciences and deliver increasingly sophisticated products and services and have a positive impact on socio-economic development in Africa.