Global telecommunications company Huawei have partnered with the University of Edinburgh to to create a Distributed Data Management and Processing Laboratory in the School of Informatics.
The lab will conduct open research into data science and data management techniques.
Their partnership, initially agreed to run for three years, will enable researchers to explore theories and technologies in data management, and give direction to cutting-edge research on information technology.
Ken Hu, Deputy Chairman of the Board and CEO at Huawei, and Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, the University Principal, signed the agreement at an event in London.
Also present at the ceremony were Professor David Robertson, Dean of the University’s College of Science and Engineering, and Professor Wenfei Fan, Director of the new lab.
The partnership follows a long-term collaboration between database experts at the University and Huawei.
As an example of their joint working, a system based on a new big data processing theory known as BEAS, developed by Professor Fan’s group, has been applied in industry.
The lab will investigate scientific and engineering research challenges relevant to academia and industry and is the first such lab for Huawei.
The aim of the partnership is to enable experts to seek to develop the fundamental science underpinning these research challenges and help translate their findings for use on a global scale.
“The University of Edinburgh is delighted to partner with Huawei to further research into data science and data management. The creation of this laboratory brings opportunities for our researchers to apply their expertise to large-scale, real world challenges in this very exciting area.”
Professor Sir Timothy O’ Shea Principal of the University of Edinburgh
The partnership was negotiated on behalf of the University by Dr Elizabeth Elliot and Professor Robertson from the School of Informatics.
Professor Peter Buneman will lead the Steering Committee of the lab, consisting of seven experts from Huawei and the School of Informatics.
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