Forum for Artifical Intelligence Research Students (FAIRS 2014)_
13th December 2014
I am lucky enough to get an opportunity joining a forum held by British Computer Society (BCS). At first, I know this event from a conference page that my second supervisor will give a workshop talk about Hyper-Heuristics.
Website : http://www.bcs-sgai.org/ai2014/
The committee informed me that it is free to join, then I checked on the train ticket to go to Cambridge, it was also cheap (14 pounds return), but the departure time was very early (5.20 am). However, I always take this kind of schedule for a budget trip, and I found Nottingham is safe at any time. I just realised when I talked to my first supervisor to ask his permission for attending this event, that my research group will reimburse for the fee, which is fantastic.
Not so many students as I imagine attended this event (only eight persons : 3 from Nottingham (me, Mina, Ahmad; all ASAPers), one from Birmingham, four from Reading), but the atmosphere for discussion was still conducive. The event was taken place at Peterhouse College. At first, we arrived, we missed the building. It was hard to find since no sign in front. Then when we went to reception, a friendly student took us to the meeting room which was also a bit confusing route for going inside. In the opening session, we played a puzzle with spreading parts (each person had one) that we need to build a full version to find our group. Behind puzzle, there were three questions about the PhD world. This forum provided us guidance to conduct research, writing a thesis, undergoing viva, and careers after PhD. It is more like a focus group discussion that we could meet senior researchers and practitioners, ask their advice, and develop networks. The committee provided us with coffee/tea break and nibbles, also a proceeding book. Because it is Friday, for lunch break we decided to find a mosque and restaurant nearby.
Along the way, I found Cambridge as a beautiful city with a strong culture. I love the classic atmosphere, but it was too gloomy for me, especially the town at night. For the study, I like Nottingham more. I love my uni which has the best view so far and stands apart from the city centre. There was a funny story when we took a picture at Peterhouse College. I just wanted to stand near a unique landscape, till I heard a man shout, he warned me that I should not step on the grass. He said I could hop on the other green, but not that in the front area. I apologised since I did not intend to do that (that sometimes I do, breaking the silly rule ^^) because I could not find any sign to forbid walkers. The man then tried to explain with humour expression.
A friend told me to make a wish, to someday Ara will come here as well. Wherever she goes pursuing her dream, I wish I can be there to support her.
Selanjutnya saya kembali ke Cambridge satu kali untuk Raspberry Pi dan satu kali bersama keluarga mencoba punting (naik getek).
to be contd
