Professor Xitong Guo invited Professor J. Christopher Westland to make a 12-days academic report for students from ehealth research institute on July 4th，2014 . Professor Westland comes from Information & Decision Sciences at the University of Illinois in Chicago and his report helps students improve their research ability and offer a chance for them to communicate with the Internationally excellent scholar.

Professor Westland holds a BA in mathematics and an MBA in accounting PhD in Computers and Information Systems from the University of Michigan, and is currently professor on the IDS faculty at University of Illinois. Dr. Westland specializes in the valuation of technology intangibles and his research interests are in the areas of innovation strategy, technology and innovation management, patent strategy, business intelligence, medical automation intelligence, analytical finance and so on. Dr. Westland is the author of numerous academic papers and of seven books. He has advised on valuation and technology strategy for Microsoft, Intel, Motorola, V-Tech, Aerospace Corporation, IBM, Pacific Bell, and other technology firms.    

Professor Westland made a wonderful academic report entitled “Big Data's Challenge to Business Analytics: Cloud Computing, Unstructured Data and Intangible Assets” for all the students. This report provided new perspectives and knowledge of big data and cloud computing. After the meeting, Professor Westland had a heated discussion about the difficulties in the research and the direction about the future research with teachers and students as old friends.