The Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science, Tsinghua University (THU IIDS) was officially established on September 17.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Tsinghua University Vice-President Jiang Peixue, Academician Liu Jun, Chair Professor and Dean of the Department of Statistics and Data Science, and Academician Chen Songxi, former dean and chair professor of the Department of Statistics and Data Science.

The Management Committee of the THU IIDS is chaired by Vice-President Wu Huaqiang. Academician Chen Songxi serves as the director, with Associate Professor Deng Ke from the Department of Statistics and Data Science as deputy director, and Associate Professor Yu Sheng as assistant to the director.

Liu Yiqun, head of the Research & Development Affairs Office at Tsinghua University, announced the University’s resolution on the establishment of the THU IIDS. Liu Jun and Chen Songxi each delivered remarks.

The THU IIDS is affiliated with the Department of Statistics and Data Science, and is jointly supported by the Department of Industrial Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and Technology, the Department of Earth System Science, and the School of Humanities.

THU IIDS will precisely focus on data-driven interdisciplinary research, scientific and technological innovation, and practical application. It will place particular emphasis on the in-depth analysis of big data, promote the deep integration of statistical methods with artificial intelligence technologies, and actively advance the practical application of cutting-edge data science technologies.

THU IIDS aims to lead frontier scientific and technological innovation, serve major national strategies, and provide strong intellectual support for the country to take the initiative and gain an edge in the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation.

The inauguration ceremony

THU IIDS is dedicated to advancing fundamental theories of data science by focusing on frontier research topics such as high-dimensional complex data modeling, integrating big data with mechanistic models, and discovering causality in large systems. It aims to produce impactful theoretical results and enhance China’s capacity for original innovation in fundamental data science research.

In terms of innovation in interdisciplinary research paradigms, the institute focuses on key areas such as “Artificial Intelligence + Data Science”, “Earth System Science + Data Science”, “Health Science + Data Science”, “Digital Humanities + Data Science”, and “Smart Governance + Data Science”.

Through methodological innovation, the institute aims to address major data analysis bottlenecks in these fields related to macro-level decision-making, precise governance, and frontier exploration, thereby establishing a new frontiers for interdisciplinary research with Tsinghua characteristics.

In terms of research infrastructure and tools, THU IIDS is dedicated to building a knowledge graph for statistics and data science and developing AI agents for data analysis and statistical consulting. Its goal is to provide an advanced public algorithm platform and intelligent methodological support for interdisciplinary research across the University and beyond, significantly enhancing research efficiency.

Faculty members of the Department of Statistics and Data Science attended the inauguration ceremony.

Editor: Li Han