Some are calling data the new oil, and teams participating in the Classified Post Hackathon seemed to be aware of that. The teams made extensive use of datasets provided by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) Data Studio to pitch solutions to challenges in the media and insurance sectors.
With access to data vital for correlating analysis, defining trends and making predictions, hackathon teams were able to build their digital solutions based on the application programming interface (API) data sets hosted at the HKSTP Data Studio. “It was impressive that hackathon participants utilised the comprehensive data sets to produce something new and inventive,” notes Gracie Ng, associate director, ICT Cluster & Smart City Platform, HKSTP. Ng says that the Data Studio established by HKSTP is a fundamental component of the HKSTP Smart City Platform initiative.
Working from a brief provided by the hackathon organisers, participants used the Data Studio application programming interface (API) to correlate analysis and define trends to produce solutions to solve real-world business challenges. Ng says the WannaSmile team members, who won the Classified Post Hackathon media category, used the advanced neural network accessed from the Data Studio to categorise job data to provide better job matching advice and services to jobseekers.
Neural networks are used in areas of prediction and classification, the areas where statistical methods have traditionally been used. “We look forward to seeing this type of dataset used to generate fresh insights and new dimensions by teams participating in future hackathons,” says Ng, who believes that high-profile events such as the Classified Post Hackathon raise public awareness of how open data can be used.
Launched towards the end of 2017 to play a key role in helping Hong Kong realise its aspirations to become a smart city, the HKSTP Data Studio is an online-offline meet-up facility for public and private organisations to develop smart city solutions backed by data. Ng explains that one of the main elements required for building smart city innovations is the availability of a wide range of data. As such, the Data Studio serves as a repository for a broad range of data related to transport, environment, education and construction.
In addition to contributing to the government’s data.gov.hk open data infrastructure, the HKSTP Data Studio provides a convenient collaborative environment for the business sector and developer community to co-create data applications. The Data Studio also invites companies willing to share their data to publish it through the Data Centre API format.
From a cpjobs.com perspective, the teams that participated in the media category of the Classified Post Hackathon made full use of the opportunity to extend the boundaries of the recruitment process. Their efforts included some inspired examples of lateral thinking. Alex Ho, general manager, recruitment, and circulation and syndication business at South China Morning Post Publishers, says the Bits and Bytes team, which consisted of a trio of computer science and engineering students studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), provided a good example of lateral thinking. Bits and Bytes developed a recruitment platform that used technologies to create competition between employers. Based on a range of “best job fit” criteria, the platform determines which employer gets the chance to interview potential job candidates first.
Ho says team WannaSmile, the media category winner, also impressed the judges with the way their machine learning algorithm was used to help jobseekers find their dream job. “It took a committed, collaborative effort to finish the coding within the tight timeframe,” Ho says.
As a pioneer of cutting-edge technology, cpjobs.com is inspired by new ideas and fresh perspectives, Ho notes. He says cpjobs.com’s innovative MatchMe+ portal is a prime example of how the South China Morning Post continues to upgrade and refine its cpjobs.com brand to reflect evolving needs and market trends. Since its launch in 2015 MatchMe+ has steadily enhanced the range of features available to users. MatchMe+ connects jobseekers and recruiters, and offers real-time responses based on user profiles and job descriptions.
