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Expanding One’s Horizons and Scope of Research –
Sharing on Conference Takeaways by HKU IDS Students at 2024 ACM SIGKDD

Our young researchers, aka our junior research postgraduate candidates who have just briefly joined the HKU IDS family for around a year, Mr. Xubin Ren and Mr. Jiabin Tang, underwent an academically rewarding, and also incredibly fun experience for their attendance at the KDD 2024: 30th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, held in Barcelona, Spain, between August 25 & 29, 2024. They are both supervised by Professor Chao Huang, whose research interests largely lie with data mining and machine learning.

As the first author to their respective accepted paper, Xubin and Jiabin not only gave their paper presentations respectively, but also led an individual tutorial on their own paper in front of the conference audience. You may browse the links below to study their papers:

A Survey of Large Language Models for Graphs

HiGPT: Heterogeneous Graph Language Model

First authors of the papers marked with a (*)

Sharing from Mr. Xubin REN

Q: What precisely did you do at KDD 2024? Could you tell us a little bit more about the conference itself?

A: This year, I had the honour of presenting a survey on large language models for graphs at KDD 2024. Alongside my peers and supervisor, I led a three-hour tutorial on this intriguing topic. The experience was enriching; we engaged in deep discussions with scholars from various backgrounds, exchanged insights, and explored cutting-edge techniques and methodologies. The atmosphere was electric – all of us as researchers were so thrilled, and it was truly exciting to learn what generative models are bringing to the data mining community. Our extensive academic networking at the conference not only broadened our perspectives but also ignited our passion for the future development of this dynamic field.

Q: Conference aside, did you seize the chance to explore the city? I know that the scenery of Barcelona is really enchanting!

A: Beyond the vibrant academic atmosphere, Barcelona’s stunning landscapes are equally captivating. As a coastal city, it boasts a unique array of seafood delicacies – when they were paired with crusty baguettes and exquisite Iberian ham, I was fascinated by the unforgettable flavors that danced on our palates!

A: I especially enjoyed looking at the architectural sites there. The city’s architecture is a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and modern styles, with each corner revealing a new marvel. We ascended Tibidabo Mountain, where we were treated with breathtaking views of the entire city. As the sun set, its golden rays cast a warm glow over this very romantic city, adding an extra layer of beauty. Barcelona, with its charm and allure, is a place that lingers in the heart long after my departure.

Sharing from Mr. Jiabin TANG

Q: I learn that both you and Xubin had an impressive yet rewarding experience at KDD 2024! Could you tell me more about what you had done there?

A: One of the highlights of the KDD 2024 conference trip, was that I had to deliver three talks. I had the chance to organize and present at a tutorial, followed by a paper presentation where I shared the latest findings from my research. Additionally, I was invited to give a talk at a workshop, allowing me to engage with experts in a more focused domain of data mining. These experiences honed my presentation skills and I was given a chance to receive valuable feedback on my works, which I believe will be instrumental in refining my research approach moving forward.

Q: These academic activities were undoubtedly essential to your trip for giving you the opportunity to polish your research and presentation skills, as well as exchanging with leading researchers overseas. Are there any other memorable parts of the conference which you see as helpful to your intellectual growth? 

A: As a recipient of the Student Travel Award, I had the privilege of serving as a volunteer during the event, which offered a valuable behind-the-scene look to me on how large-scale conferences are organized. These hands-on experiences broadened my understanding of academic networking and event logistics, and I trust that such skills that will certainly be beneficial to me as future leaders in academia in terms of organizing workshops or sessions for conferences.

Q: Could you highlight some of the best parts of the trip to us? Did you manage to do some sightseeing at your free time?

A: In addition to the academic aspects, I made use of this great opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Barcelona. I visited several iconic landmarks, including the breathtaking Sagrada Família and the panoramic views from Tibidabo mountain. These cultural experiences added a memorable dimension to the trip, further enriching the overall experience.

The combination of presenting, networking, and gaining new perspectives on data science research has inspired me to explore interdisciplinary approaches in my own work at IDS. Attending KDD 2024 has not only expanded my academic network but has also solidified my long-term research goals by exposing me to cutting-edge methodologies and collaborative possibilities.