Learning a new language is a challenge to everyone, especially when it is based on a completely different culture. The same goes for coding, or writing a programming language, since it originates from nowhere and does not derive from a certain culture. What makes it more challenging is that coding does not tolerate mistakes regardless of the learner’s level, meaning that a single mistake could corrupt the whole process. However, in terms of production and utility, no other language system beats it. When coding is fused with enough data, it can create diverse productions, from programs as mediocre as an automatic window shutter to those as great as autopilot software in a spaceship.

 

 

 

KUBIG, the exclusive big data analytics club at Korea University (KU), is an academic organization established to learn contemporary knowledge about handling statistics as well as machine and deep learning through computer programming. The club has been certified by the Department of Statistics as an official data analytics academic organization. Moreover, it has an advantage over other clubs in that KUBIG is in partnership with MakinaRocks, a machine intelligence product building company, meaning students in the community are highly exposed to a real-time job environment.

From Zero to Hero

One of KUBIG’s main projects in 2020 was named the COVID-19 Face Mask Detection. The self-explanatory project incorporated more than four thousand sample pictures of three categories: masks correctly worn, masks incorrectly worn, or no mask — with 1400 samples. The program they produced uses machine learning to detect whether or not a person is wearing a mask. The project was created with programming tools such as Mobilenet V2 and SSDResNet based face detectors. The group then suggested the use of the software in buildings to detect incomers and confirm whether or not they were

wearing masks.

Another project, the Natural Language Processing (NLP) Based Artificial Intelligence Lawyer, reads an input sentence regarding any law-related case and suggests appropriate legal provisions to solve the issue. Many tool studies including Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and long/short term memory (LSTM) have been conducted to fully operate and understand the system while official lines from the National Tax Law Information System were extracted to meet credibility. Further suggestions were made to make sure the program is fully applicable in lawsuits to search for the respective clause.

 

The most fascinating project of all is the Movie Suggestion Algorithm project. It recommends movies based on ratings, synopsis, and details data, while suggesting up-to-date content by constantly gathering movie information from various sites. The program was tested several times to yield the most accurate model by comparing suggestions provided by Movielens and IMDB, popular film information provider websites. Similar to the algorithm used on the video streaming platform YouTube, such developments can contribute to a more automatic lifestyle.

 

Likewise, KUBIG strives to achieve comfort in our daily lives by coming up with solutions to small but troublesome issues. The club not only monitors each member’s learning session, pursuing in-depth learning, but also seeks to find great opportunities in learning from real industries and companies, may it be MakinaRocks or Hyundai Mobis. As such, it is presumable that KUBIG is the troubleshooter that projects solution and provides the direction of an individual’s projection.

The Granite Tower (GT) has interviewed the head of the KUBIG community, Ahn Soo Bean (’18, Statistics), for an inside look.

GT: How would you describe the club in a single phrase?

Ahn: I would say KUBIG is a passionate group that wants to add value to data. Gathering scattered data to create new value makes our hearts beat. That is why we do not work alone; each member contributes to the team with their skills and everything in the club happens under the motto *teamwork*. KUBIG has a driving force to develop because the members embrace, learn, and improve their shortcomings by learning from each other while participating passionately in the process.

 

GT: Please tell us three advantages that KUBIG has over other clubs.

Ahn: First of all, KUBIG is the only club at KU that solely focuses on data analytics. Other clubs, for instance, relate data to various fields such as business or computer science. Moreover, we plan programs tailored to demand by conducting surveys and receiving feedback every semester. By planning and implementing programs according to the demands of the members, we make sure to increase their feeling of satisfaction and achievement. Lastly, the ambience is our biggest pride. We establish an atmosphere where teammates learn and teach each other, not thrive alone.

 

GT: Do you have any memorable experiences from activities in the club?

Ahn: My first moment as a newcomer to KUBIG was the most special and impressive. After completing my second year at KU, I entered the club. Back then, I had no idea what big data was and was clueless regarding cooperation and projects. Modeling with data and building an original program or system seemed like a story from a far-away land to me. However, when I successfully worked on a project with my team members after the first semester’s training session, I felt great pride and joy with the first achievement. More experienced members helped me out whenever I was stuck, and that experience probably led me to study, to give back that help the next semester.

 

GT: Please promote KUBIG in relation to the club’s various events and activities.

Ahn: KUBIG is an officially authorized club that recruits newcomers every semester and conducts a two-month learning session with another four months for a project. Members make various attempts not only to educate themselves, but also to build a sense of reality by participating in various contests, and holding a data analysis competition. We also host Q&A sessions and homecoming events with KUBIG graduates. KUBIG focuses on promoting academic-to-industry programs while constantly supporting cooperation projects and hearing news about internships and recruitment from seniors. Therefore, if you become one of us, you will earn knowledge, experience, and relationship.