Kabarak University had the distinct privilege of participating in the Data Science Africa (DSA) 2025 workshop and conference, held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, from June 2 to 6, 2025. This prestigious event brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students from across Africa and beyond, united by a shared goal of advancing data science and artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development on the continent. The conference was supported by globally recognized institutions and industry leaders, including Google, DeepMind, ARM, Edge Impulse, AI4D Africa, IDRC/CRDI, and IEEE, among others.
Kabarak University's participation in this event is a testament to its growing commitment to excellence in research, innovation, and academic leadership in the fields of data science and AI. The insights and networks gained from DSA Ibadan 2025 are expected to significantly enhance the University’s flagship programs—Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Master of Science in Data Science, and Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence.
One of the most immediate benefits of attending DSA is the opportunity to enrich and realign Kabarak’s academic curriculum. The conference exposed faculty and institutional representatives to the latest advancements, real-world applications, and pedagogical strategies in data science and AI. Topics such as ethical AI, machine learning for development, data governance, and AI for health and agriculture featured prominently. These insights will inform ongoing curriculum review processes, ensuring that Kabarak's programs remain current, relevant, and practically grounded in addressing Africa’s unique challenges.
Moreover, the event fostered meaningful connections with leading research institutions, technology companies, and funding agencies. These engagements opened doors for collaborative research projects, student internships, and mentorship opportunities, particularly at the postgraduate level. Kabarak University is now better positioned to initiate joint research initiatives and leverage global resources for thesis projects, innovation hubs, and student-led AI applications.
In addition, faculty members who participated in the event benefited from professional development through exposure to advanced tools, open-source platforms, and cutting-edge academic discourse. This will enhance their ability to deliver high-quality instruction, supervise impactful research, and mentor students to meet globally competitive standards. Access to training materials and datasets from DSA also means that the learning experience back at Kabarak will be more hands-on and enriched with real African data.
For students, this participation translates into a more dynamic and engaging academic experience. Incorporating case studies and knowledge from DSA into classroom learning provides real-world context and practical skills. Furthermore, students can now aspire to engage more actively with platforms like DSA through hackathons, poster sessions, and future conference participation. This fosters a culture of innovation and problem-solving that is essential to building the next generation of African data scientists and AI practitioners.
Participation in DSA also elevates Kabarak University’s visibility and reputation across the African continent. It signals the University’s readiness to play a leadership role in shaping the future of AI and data-driven innovation in East Africa. This increased profile will attract new students, research collaborators, industry partners, and potential funding opportunities, further strengthening the institution’s position as a hub for applied data science and artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, Kabarak University’s engagement in Data Science Africa Ibadan 2025 is a strategic investment that will yield long-term benefits for its academic programs, faculty development, student learning, and institutional partnerships. The University remains committed to nurturing excellence in data science and AI education and looks forward to building upon this momentum to foster impactful innovation and transformative research for Africa and the world.
