Introduction

Today we did not do much exploring but learned a few interesting topics. Our day started with three 40-minute lectures. These included blockchain, forecasting, and data analysis. After this, we spend a few hours learning about the University of Nicosia pharmaceutical lab and their studies.

Lecture 1: Blockchain

Before we arrived at Cyprus, one of our pre-departure assignments was to write a brief one-page paper about an emerging technology. I decided to write about blockchain. While researching I was very interested and eager to learn more about the topic.

Our professor for block chain had a very interesting style of teaching. Instead of preparing a presentation to guide himself, he simply walked around the classroom explaining blockchain. I would like to take the time to compliment the professor’s ability to take a beginner’s point of view of something he is an expert on.

The professor briefly explained how a blockchain essentially gives everybody a copy of an irreversible transaction, making it a valuably way of currency such as bitcoin. Blockchain also has other applications which “decentralize” a data source so that one singular person cannot have control over censorship. For example, Twitter does not use blockchain and is a “centralized” data source, so one person has control to censor somebody.

Even though it may seem that blockchain should be used in every data source for transparency, the professor explained how it would be useless to reset the entire University of Nicosia library system, for example. There is no reason to decentralize this data source.

One thing Blockchain can revolutionize is the supply chain. The key to a successful supply chain is efficiency. Since blockchain gives everybody a complete history of a transaction, there would be fewer duplicate transactions, less invoice fraud, and other obstacles that decrease shipping efficiency. I am excited to see where blockchain will bring the supply chain in the future.

Lecture 2: Forecasting

This lecture had a completely different atmosphere than the previous one. Our professor, Dr. Spyros, was a perfect representation of an “old and wise man”. He was very charismatic and intelligent. Sometimes I notice that some professors who are very intelligent close their minds. They do what they grew up doing, and do not ride the wave of advancements. Professor Spyros was the complete opposite. He was open-minded and wanted to learn how to embrace new technologies instead of rejecting them. For example, Professor Spyros is an expert on forecasting, which considers previous data to predict future obstacles of a business. Every year, there is a competition to see who has the most accurate form of forecasting. In 2017, a man won this competition by using a “hybrid” form of forecasting which used machines to predict, and humans to make decisions. Only a few years later, forecasting records were broken by an undergraduate Korean student who used “machine learning” to predict and make decisions about forecasting. This was proven the most effective way to forecasting. Instead of rejecting this revolutionary idea, Professor Spyros embraced it, teaching us how we will use this machine learning to help businesses.

Lecture 3: Data Science

The last lecture of the day was about Data Science. This can be very applicable to Industrial Engineering, my intended field of study. Since Industrial Engineers must manipulate data to optimize systems, understanding the science behind data sources can be very important. The same machine learning that Dr. Spyros introduces was further explained in this lecture. Initially, this scared me. The idea of Artificial Learning is frightening because if it continues to advance at this rate, AI can be comparable to the human mind. The only difference is that AI cannot feel emotion, for example, remorse. After my initial scare, I found AI to be fascinating. Specifically, we were learning about how AI can learn by putting it through different situations and paths with consequences. This can be very useful in optimization because it can save hours of tests instead of having a Robot to assist you.

Conclusion

From the endless applications of blockchain to the lovable lecture of Dr. Spyros to the frightening pace of technological advancements, the day at the University of Nicosia was well spent. I found myself pondering about my new thoughts sparked by the lectures. My interest in my studies is now more abundant with possibilities.