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FUTA HOSTS 1ST AFRICAN SYMPOSIUM OF THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (TWAS)


FUTA HOSTS 1ST AFRICAN SYMPOSIUM OF THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (TWAS)

Researchers representing 17 countries of the world  converged in Akure between June 10th  and 14th  for the 1st African symposium and 4th TYAN International Thematic Workshop of TWAS young Affiliates Network (TYAN) under the aegis of the World Academy of Sciences with the theme: Big Data, Analytics and  Machine Intelligence for Financial, Health and Environmental Inclusion in Developing Countries. According to the Nigeria Executive Board member, and Chair, organizing Committee, Dr. Bola Ojokoh, the recent developments and potentials in the emerging field of Big Data Analysis has necessitated the gathering of young scientists whose strengths can be harnessed to address the challenges facing the developing world, while increasing knowledge and building capacity. Ojokoh who is also an associate Professor, in the Department of Information Systems, FUTA said every one of the thematic workshops organized by TYAN also aims at addressing some of the United Nations sustainable goals.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Ondo state Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Olumbe Akinkugbe  said Big Data Analysis and machine intelligence technologies are part of emerging technologies that are very important for financial health and environmental activities in any developing country such as Nigeria, having benefits such as new revenue opportunities, improved operational efficiency and excellent customer service. He said Ondo State has automated all government processes as part of efforts to leverage on the Big Data Analytics technologies and this he said has reduced leakages and improved productivity.

In his address the Vice Chancellor, FUTA, Professor Joseph Fuwape, represented by DVCA, Prof. Rufus Ogunsemi said the symposium  aims at providing a platform to increase knowledge in Big Data and Analytics and machine intelligence and explore techniques that will be utilized, while providing solutions and building multidisciplinary and international collaborations. He said shortage of practical skills and relevant expertise is a primary obstacle to social uplifts and sustainable developments in Africa in addition, the African continent is characterized by critical environmental diversity, economic and health challenges. He said the event is expected to leverage on connections and international efforts to establish a robust platform to train and provide support to African researchers with techniques to tackle issues relevant to the African continent. The Dean, School of Computing , Professor Sunday Adewale said presently data are being generated at very high speed with high volumes that must be mined to handle financial issues with the view to solve the continent’s recurring recession, to tackle health issues and the environmental issues.

TWAS Coordinator, Triste, Italy, Professor Maximo Paoli said the combination of the symposium and workshop is an impressive method of teaching and transfer of skills to researchers from various countries. He said researchers must be sensitized to the wide range of problems associated with the global challenges in order to promote more work in areas of sustainability science. Paoli said politicians and governments also must work to facilitate the formation of citizens as well as the implementations of technologies resulting from sustainability research. Participants reviewed the Big Data Analysis for sustainable development Goals (SDGS) with perspectives on education, research, women and girls welfare in focus.

The workshop  was sponsored by TWAS and the Elsevier Foundation, and hosted by FUTA with support from other partners such as the Nigeria computer society, Izmir, Institute of technology (IZTECH) Nigerian Young Academy and COMSATS