…partners TYAN, others on 16th International Thematic Workshop
In partnership with TWAS Young Affiliates Network (TYAN) and GigaScience, Automated Contact Tracing Research Group (ACTRG), The Federal University of Technology Akure,FUTA FUTA recently hosted the 3rd African Symposium on Big Data, Analytics and Machine Intelligence as well as the 16th TWAS Young Affiliates Network (TYAN) International Thematic Workshop themed “Open Data Science and AI for Healthcare”. The Symposium and workshop, gathered scientists from thirteen countries across the world in a hybrid forum to discuss how the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be harnessed for a more effective healthcare delivery on the African continent and beyond.
Leveraging AI for pandemic response, like effective contact tracing and transmission dynamics for COVID-19, epidemiological analytics, bioinformatics, and remote healthcare, including ethical considerations surrounding data science were topical issues of discourse at the symposium which catered to data analytics of various diseases such as breast cancer, diabetes, Lassa fever, among others.
At the Opening Ceremony, the Organizing Chairperson, Professor Bolanle Ojokoh, who is the Principal Investigator of ACTRG, in the University’s Department of Information Systems, stated that the event was the third in the series to be hosted by FUTA since its inauguration in 2019. She applauded TYAN as a partner for its commitment to harnessing the strengths and potentials of young scientists to provide solutions targeted at achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals in developing nations while increasing knowledge and building capacity to resolve inadequate access to local healthcare data for better AI research.
As researchers called on government for collaboration with healthcare experts and organizations, Professor Ojokoh explained that the theme for the workshop was derived from the discussions and inferences drawn from the last edition of the symposium in addition to the prominent role Artificial Intelligence plays in proffering solution in health care, stressing that scientists were saddled with the task to formulate globally receptive solutions that will permeate the grassroots with health care being a major challenge in Africa.
Counting the benefits to FUTA, she noted that hosting the 2024 edition of the workshop, having hosted two others earlier showcases FUTA’s capacity as a Research-intensive Institution and one of the leading voices in proffering AI-driven solutions to Africa’s prevailing health challenges.
In her remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji who was represented by the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Bello-Olusoji Oluayo highlighted the unique challenges that Africa faces in healthcare delivery and access and the importance of collective commitment to harness the power of open data, cutting-edge analytics, and AI to revolutionize healthcare across the continent.
Oladiji expressed optimism that the outcome of the symposium will empower scholars to delve into the ways by which open data can democratize information, empower healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers and patients themselves, while exploring how AI-driven analytics can unearth hidden patterns in vast datasets, leading to early diagnoses, more personalized treatments, and ultimately improved health outcomes for communities.
She therefore assured the commitment of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, to push the boundaries of data science and AI in healthcare, while investing in cutting-edge infrastructure and fostering partnerships with industry leaders, government, and international organizations, noting that the continent is blessed with immense potential and innovation irrespective.
Presenting a goodwill message, one of the partners and the Press Director of Giga Science, Dr. Laurie Goodman emphasized the possibility of transforming the Medical Profession with AI-driven technology    through open data analysis       scientific  knowledge                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         software sharing and the use of open-source computational tools; and research promotion with reproducible, accessible, and executable results.
The duo of the Dean, School of Computing, FUTA, Professor Kayode Alese and the Head of Department, Data Science, Professor Olatubosun Olabode also noted that Data Science was ever evolving and impactful, particularly with the engagement and deployment of Artificial Intelligence. They assured that the resolutions from the symposium on analytics and interpretation of complex data science for problem solving generally will be beneficial to emerging scientists now and for future deployment.
The Chairperson of Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, (OWSD) FUTA branch, Professor Folasde Olajuyigbe, who is also the Director, Julius Okojie Central Research Laboratory of the University commended the organization of the symposium, which she stressed was convened to explore potentials of data science and artificial intelligence, whilst acknowledging the critical roles women play in shaping the future of science and technology in Africa. She urged participants to consider their collective efforts as groundbreaking steps to discoveries and meaningful advancements in science and technology.
Peoplesmind
