Institute of Statistics and Big Data

Renmin University of China is the first comprehensive research university established by the People's Republic of China. Its predecessor was Shanbei Public School, founded in 1937. With 14“double first-rate” disciplines, among which 11 are ranked A+ by China’s Ministry of Education, Renmin University of China is well placed to become an influential leader in the Chinese humanities and social sciences. It also offers a range of courses in the natural sciences, information technology and environmental sciences.The university’s overriding tasks have consistently been the pursuit of truth and progress, cultural transmission and educating the country’s future elites. RUC is an important base for training high-caliber professionals in the social sciences and humanities and houses a number of influential research centers and think tanks.

The Institute of Statistics and Big Data was established in 2015. The Institute of Statistics and Big Data serves as both a teaching and research hub, embodying a special academic zone aimed at elevating Renmin University of China into a globally recognized institution, while also fostering the development of Statistics and Data Science into a world-class discipline. The Institute actively serves the national big data strategy and has established a discipline construction plan, adhering to the development policy of "high starting point, high level, and integration into the mainstream." This plan focuses on "grounding in statistical disciplines, developing data science, and embracing artificial intelligence." By seizing the frontier, mobilizing resources, and creating highlights, the Institute continuously optimizes the academic background and age structure of faculty in statistics and data science. It further enhances the overall strength and international level of these disciplines and continues to strengthen the support of statistics and data science disciplines for humanities and social sciences at our university.

The institute has currently gathered young academic talents at the international first-class level. As of 2023, the institute has 18 full-time faculty members, including 2 professors. All faculty members have over three years of overseas study or work experience. Sixteen teachers obtained their doctoral degrees abroad, and two teachers were selected for the national major talent project, with another two selected for the national major young talent project. Among the faculty, two are over 45 years old, one is between 35 and 45 years old, and the remaining are all under 35 years old.

The institute is committed to nurturing future leaders in statistics and data science who possess a robust foundation in mathematics, a deep cultural and humanistic sensibility, and an expansive international outlook, along with new generation talents ready to shoulder the responsibilities of national rejuvenation. Since 2016, the institute has established a Ph.D. program in statistics (with focuses on statistics, data science, and artificial intelligence) and since 2020, a master's degree program in applied statistics (with a focus on data science and artificial intelligence). Among these, the master's program includes a special project for future leaders in "medical and health big data".