Big Data 2016

International Conference on Big Data

3 - 5 May 2016
Alicante, Spain

Overview

The International Conference on Big Data took place at the University of Alicante, co-organised by the Wessex Institute of Technology and the Miguel Hernandez University of Elche.

The Meeting was opened by Co-Chairman Professor Rafael Molina of the University of Alicante, who welcomed the delegates to the Conference in the name of his Institution and referred to their long established links with the Wessex Institute.

This was followed by a brief address by Professor Carlos Brebbia, explaining the motivations of the Wessex Institute behind the organisation of this type of conference.

Carlos started by explaining that WIT acts as a mechanism for bringing together researchers and practitioners from many different countries. It promotes exchange of information and the development of joint research projects. As a result, the Institute is able to collaborate, rather than compete, with many different institutions all over the world.

Opening of the Conference

The Research and Development work at the Institute is centred on the particular computational tools built over the years to simulate a wide variety of engineering and scientific problems. WIT has pioneered the development of integral equations into a technique used in practice. This technique, Carlos explained, has been applied to solve problems in fluids, solids, electromagnetics, etc. The Institute’s work in this regard is in response to industrial needs and in spite of its modest size, the work is carried out for large companies and institutions around the world.

Another important activity at WIT is the publication of advanced research information, particularly conference and journal papers. All papers are now Open Access and can be freely downloaded from the eLibrary of the Institute’s Press (witpress.com). This new development ensures the maximum dissemination to the work presented at WIT conferences or published in any of its journals.

Carlos ended his address by thanking the University of Alicante for providing conference facilities and the delegates for coming; and wishing them a very successful Conference. He also hoped that some of them would one day consider visiting the WIT Campus in the New Forest National Park of England so that they can better appreciate the work of the Institute.

The Big Data Conference brought together experts in computer sciences, statistics and economics, as well as other professionals, to discuss solutions to the management of Big Data, Data Mining and statistical predictions.

This is required due to the rapid use of IT and the gains made by the Internet and Mobile Computing. All organisations, including government agencies have accumulated a large amount of information. This information overload greatly complicates the process of decision-making for experts in any field.

The Conference attempted to propose solutions to these problems through a series of presentations and discussions, creating the right environment for the exchange of knowledge and information.

The Conference provided ample opportunity for the participants to interact with each other, not only during coffee, lunch breaks and other social functions such as the conference banquet, but also during the technical excursion. This consisted of a visit to the Headquarters of the Red Cross, hosted by Mr Javier Gimeno, National Vice President of the organisation and Director of Information Systems.

The visit started with a presentation describing the applications of Big Data within the Red Cross and the way in which the data is collected and organised. This was followed by a visit to their installations, during which the delegates asked numerous questions.

The visit ended with coffee and refreshments before the delegates returned to the Conference venue.

Invited Presentations

There was a series of invited presentations to enhance the Meeting, ie:

• A computational experience for automatic feature selection on big data frameworks” by Alexander Rabasa, Miguel Hernandez University, Spain
• Starting with small health data – opportunities for mHealth in Africa”, by Ciara Heaving, University College, Cork, Ireland
• Big data and business intelligence”, by Juan Carlos Trujillo Mondejar, University of Alicante, Spain
• Large scale IP network data analysis for anomalies detection thanks to SVM” by Slimane Mekaoui, University of Sciences and Technology, Algeria
• Leveraging information for high level-of-abstraction organizational processes”, by Rafael Molina-Carmona, University of Alicante, Spain.

Conference Dinner

The Conference banquet took place in the Royal Regatta Club of Alicante, a well known institution, located on the waterfront with beautiful views of the Marina. The menu consisted of a series of typical starters, followed by a fish rice prepared with local vegetables. The main course was fillet mignon. The dishes were accompanied by local wines produced at the caterers’ own vineyards.

The friendly atmosphere and excellent service contributed to the success of the event and the interaction between the participants.

At the end of the banquet, Carlos thanked the delegates for their participation and in particular, the University of Alicante for hosting the Conference. Alicante, Carlos said, is one of the nicest and friendliest cities in the whole Mediterranean, still largely underrated as a business or tourist attraction.

Closing of the Conference

The Meeting was most successful in terms of personal contacts as well as because of the high quality of the papers presented.

Conference Proceedings

A selection of the papers is being published in a special issue of the International Journal of Design and Nature (Vol 11, No 03, 2016). All papers are offered open access on the WIT website (witpress.com/elibrary) where they can be downloaded free of charge.

Related conferences

• Complex Systems 2016, New Forest, UK, 1 - 3 June, 2016