WKWSCI Symposium 2014

About the Event

This symposium, an interdisciplinary forum with government and civil service policy makers, industry and marketplace leaders and eminent researchers, is about understanding and discussing opportunities and big ideas provided by big data to build and connect communities making them smarter. The symposium will focus on the following themes: · Networked Communities The concept of networked community is usually related to a wide variety of networks with different objectives and aims while using diverse technologies. The networked environment connected by information technology networks creates a platform for the easy exchange of information as what Castells (1996) argues to be more important now in people’s lives. On one hand, the lack of networking facility can disadvantage the communities making interactions weak and social capital low while on the other, an increase of information shared over these networks shapes the organisational forms and structures of our society, with key social, political and cultural structures negotiated and defined via this new way of interaction. · Social Media Analytics For the last 5 years, the world has seen a rapid proliferation of social media that have created an unprecedented opportunity for different industries to engage its users in a dialogue. The 1.15 billion active Facebook users (as of June 2013) and 699 million daily users and 100 billion connections are numbers suggestive of the power of just one social networking giant. The numbers are indicative of the virtually unlimited opportunities to leverage on the power of social media to innovate public spaces, enhance the quality of life through technology and engage individuals to interact while making the citizen at the centre of it all. · Media Applications Government and private institutions are constantly collecting large amounts of data; however, many have failed to use these data to improve business operation infrastructure, government services and health monitoring, among others. Well planned analytical processes and people with talent and skills needed to leverage the technologies are essential to effectively carry out the objectives. This theme will discuss case studies and analytical tools that would assist on understanding the big data that we all face every day.