IEEE Computer Society Brings Tencent and Waseda University Together for Special Event
by Michael Martinez

In December 2018, Tencent Research teams from China visited Waseda University in Japan for a one-day seminar organized by the IEEE Computer Society. The society connected these two groups as part of an ongoing effort to promote collaboration between industry and academia.

Tencent Waseda University technical tourThe meeting took place at the Waseda University Green Computing Systems Research and Development Center, which is led by IEEE CS President Hironori Kasahara, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and director of the campus’s Advanced Multicore Research Institute.

Professor Hiroyasu Iwata of Waseda University leads a workshop between Tencent and the IEEE Computer Society about "Human Assistive Robot Technology towards Human Augmentation."
Professor Hiroyasu Iwata of Waseda University leads a workshop between Tencent and the IEEE Computer Society about “Human Assistive Robot Technology towards Human Augmentation.”

Tencent leaders gave seminar presentations on several subjects:

  • “Anime Portrait Generation based on Stacked Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Networks” by Haozhi Huang, a Tencent senior researcher from the Tencent AI Lab.
  • “A Comprehensive Computer Vision Solution in Smart Retail Industry” by Yanhao Ge, a Tencent senior researcher from the Tencent Youtu Lab.
  • “Human Perceptual Video Service Platform — Liying from Tencent” by Ben Kao, a Tencent research fellow from the Tencent Media Lab.
Professor Yoichi Matsuyama of Waseda University presents research to Tencent officials about "Perceptual Computing Laboratory: From Theoretical Machine Learning to Applications for Social Impacts."
Professor Yoichi Matsuyama of Waseda University presents research to Tencent officials about “Perceptual Computing Laboratory: From Theoretical Machine Learning to Applications for Social Impacts.”

In addition, Post-doctoral Researcher Yan-Pei Cao of Tsinghua University – Tencent Joint Lab gave a presentation about “Analyzing and Processing Large-scale Street View Images.”

Three Waseda University professors also led discussions and even gave lab tours:

  • Professor Hiroyasu Iwata of Waseda University, who’s also from the Iwata Lab, spoke about robotics.
  • Researcher and Associate Professor Yoshihiko Mochizuki of Waseda University and the Ishikawa Lab talked about pattern analysis and machine learning.
  • Professor Yoichi Matsuyama of Waseda University, who’s also from the Kobayashi Lab, discussed robot human interaction.

 

Researcher Yan-Pei Cao of Tsinghua University gives a presentation about "Analyzing and Processing Large-scale Street View Images" at a gathering between Tencent and IEEE Computer Society officials at Waseda University in Japan.
Post-doctoral researcher Yan-Pei Cao of Tsinghua University gives a presentation about “Analyzing and Processing Large-scale Street View Images” at a gathering between Tencent and IEEE Computer Society officials at Waseda University in Japan.

In 2017, IEEE CS and the Tencent Technology Co., Ltd (Tencent) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Global Partner Program (GPP), securing their mutual interest in achieving the goals of influencing innovation and promoting the development of technology through the establishment and strengthening of their relationship.

 

Powerpoint presentations drew intense listening at a gathering between Tencent and IEEE Computer Society leaders at Waseda University in Japan.
Powerpoint presentations drew intense listening at a gathering between Tencent and IEEE Computer Society leaders at Waseda University in Japan.

Fostering collaboration is a fundamental part the IEEE CS mission, and this month’s seminar in Tokyo helped unite two major influencers in the development of technology. Sign-up for the Computer Society’s Computing Edge Magazine for more information about CS IEEE activities and ways you and your organization can benefit.

 

IEEE Computer Society Hironori Kasahara receives a commemorative gift plate from Yufei Zheng, senior manager of the Tencent’s University Relations, following a gathering between Tencent and the society at Waseda University, located in Tokyo. The plate features Tencent’s mascot–a penguin–in a Peking opera costume.

 

The three-year memorandum of understanding between Tencent and the IEEE Computer Society began in 2017.

 

Participants in a meeting between Tencent and the IEEE Computer Society gather for a group shot.
Participants in a meeting between Tencent and the IEEE Computer Society gather for a group shot.

 

Michael Martinez

 

About Michael Martinez

Michael Martinez, the editor of the Computer Society’s Computer.Org website and its social media, has covered technology as well as global events while on the staff at CNN, Tribune Co. (based at the Los Angeles Times), and the Washington Post. He welcomes email feedback, and you can also follow him on LinkedIn.