30 Jan 2019

 Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in collaboration with University of Southampton in the United Kingdom recently held a two-week Computer Science and Information System (CSIS) machine learning boot camp.

Speaking at the awarding of certificates to participants, the BIUST vice chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, said the boot camp contributed towards BIUST mandate of producing industry-relevant research personnel.

“We are very fortunate to have had Prof. Niranjan leading the CSIS machine learning course since he is an international renowned researcher with experience in industry-relevant research. Prof. Niranjan has worked in collaboration with Southampton general hospital in solving health-related problems using Computer Science skills,” Prof. Totolo said.

He explained that it was through those kinds of initiatives that the university was closing the gap between academia and industry stakeholders by giving them practical skills necessary to solve national challenges.

“The boot camp also demonstrated how partnerships with community driven initiatives like PyData Botswana can be leveraged on to encourage those outside academia to contribute towards a knowledge based economy,” Professor Totolo added.

The vice chancellor acknowledged renowned scholar, Professor Mahesan Niranjan, Mr Tebogo Mogaleemang of PyData Botswana, department of CSIS and BIUST International office for making the workshop possible.

He encouraged graduates to apply the skills acquired in the two weeks of training at their various places of work.

For his part, Professor Niranjan said boot camps were a good way of learning new things. 

He said the boot camp on CSIS machine learning broadly defined artificial intelligence specifically machine learning. 

He noted that other aspects of the induction taught issues about analysing vast amounts of data and pulling out useful information.

“We are in the world where we have to keep up with the same pace as the world in terms of technology.  Botswana and BIUST can be at the same standards and quality as the UK and Southampton university specifically on artificial intelligence,” Prof. Niranjan stated.

Prof. Niranjan urged BIUST students to come up with new ideas, adding that the university should give support to students and get the best out of them.

In that way, he said, BIUST would create an environment that would keep Botswana on the map not only because of the diamonds but also for the advanced research personnel with the knowledge and skills relevant to various industries.

For his part, Mr Mogaleemang said such boot camps imparted vital in advancing the country to a knowledge based economy.

“Today’s world is at the digital age, therefore data is very important in helping the country in making informed decisions,” he added. 

He urged BIUST to come up with internal structures to support academia and research practices to increase skills needed in various industries in the country.

One of the participants from BAC, Mr Stewart Muchuchuti commended those who made the boot camp possible noting that it was grueling but awarding.

He thanked Professor Niranjan for sharing machine learning knowledge and experience with them and helping to apply the skills learnt practically.

He called upon participants to make use of the skills acquired to help their communities in making informed decisions. ENDS