Host Institution

Namibia University of Science and Technology

Schedule

  • 13 Jul 2023
    • Opening Ceremony Registration -08:30 – 09:00 Participant Registration.
    • Official Welcoming Remarks - 09:00 – 09:10 Dr Erold Naomab: Vice- Chancellor, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).
    • Remarks - 09:10 – 09:15 Ms Kombada Mhopjeni: National Programme Officer for Natural Sciences (UNESCO Windhoek Office).
    • Remarks - 09:15 – 09:20 Mr Nawa Likando: Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation (MTC).
    • The future of AI landscape in Namibia: A policy perspective - 09:20 – 09:45 Dr Stanley Shanapinda: Chief Executive Officer (Telecom Namibia Limited)
    • Vote of Thanks - 10:15 – 10:30 Dr Erling Kavita: Executive Director: ADS and Satellite Campuses, NUST.
    • Tea Break - 10:30 – 11:00 +15 Networking Break
    • Keynote – 11:00 – 11:30 Automatic radio galaxy classification and synthetic image generation using a Variational Autoencoder Dr Kushatha Ntwaetsile: Software and Data Processing Engineer (Botswana International University of Science & Technology).
    • Technical Talk – 11:30 -12:00 Introduction to AI/Machine Learning Mr Venick Mashuna: Senior Data Scientist | RPA Developer, Bank of Namibia.
    • Panel Discussion – 12:00 – 13:00 Towards an AI Strategy for Namibia: Creating an enabling environment for AI Advancement
    • Lunch – 13:00 -14:00 +30 Networking
    • Keynote– 14:00 – 14:30 Artificial Learning: From Machine Learning (ML) to Federated Learning (FL) Prof. B. Antoine Bagula | (University of the Western Cape)
    • Workshop 1– 14 :30 – 16 :30 Workshop on Robotics
    • Workshop 2 – 14:30 -16:30 Workshop on Robotics Kitten coding software (CODEMAO) demo.
    • Workshop 3 – 14:30 -16:30 Building Tech We Trust: Coming together to ensure digital safety and responsible data collection & use in Namibia
    • Poster Sessions – 16:30 -17:00
    • IndabaX – Social – 18:00 -20:00 Village Market Restaurant
  • 14 Jul 2023
    • Welcome Remarks - 08:45 – 09:00 Prof Guy-Alain Zodi: Associate Dean: School of Computing, NUST.
    • Keynote – 09:00 – 09:45 Latest advances in AI: from ChatGPT to multimodal LLM • Internals and applications of ChatGPT • Other Large language models (LLMs) Prof Ndapa Nakashole: Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of California (San Diego)
    • Technical Talk – 09:45 – 10:15 Natural language processing for under-resourced African languages Dr David ADELANI: DeepMind Academic Fellow, University College London (UCL).
    • Tea Break - 10:15 – 10:30
    • Technical talk – 10:30 – 11:00 Application of AI/ML Paradigms in the Namibian Transportation Sector: Status Quo and Opportunities Dr Robert Ambunda: Transportation Specialist & Senior Lecturer, UNAM.
    • Panel Discussion – 12:00 – 13:00 Namibia-specific applications of LLMs
    • Lunch - 13:00 -14:00 +30 Networking Break
    • Technical Talk – 14:00 – 14:30 Integrating Core ML with ARKit: Enhancing Augmented Reality Experiences with ML Ms Audrey Chanakira : Lead iOS Developer · Green Enterprise Solutions (Pty) Ltd and Zim Developers co-founder.
    • Hackathon/ Startup Competition Presentation - 14:30 – 16:00 Hackathon Teams.
    • Demonstration – 16:00 – 16:30 Document Summarisation using NLP Mr Tangeni Shikomba: Backend Software Engineer, USA.
    • Awards Ceremony - 16:30 – 17:00 • Opening Remarks by Acting DVC: RIP. • Announcement of Hackathon winners. • Announcement of poster winners.

List of Speakers

Dr. Stanley Shanapinda

Dr. Stanley Shanapinda

CEO: Telecom Namibia Limited

Dr Erold Naomab

Dr Erold Naomab

Vice-Chancellor, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Ms Kombada Mhopjeni

Ms Kombada Mhopjeni

National Programme Officer for Natural Sciences (UNESCO Windhoek Office)

Mr. Vinick Mashuna

Mr. Vinick Mashuna

Senior Data Scientist & RPA Developer for Bank of Namibia

Dr Kushatha Ntswaetsile

Dr Kushatha Ntswaetsile

Computer Scientist turned Astronomer

Anna Hanghome

Anna Hanghome

Executive: Information Systems

Dr Anna Matros-Goreses

Dr Anna Matros-Goreses

Executive Director: Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships

Annastasia Shipepe

Annastasia Shipepe

Lecturer of Computing, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Namibia (UNAM)

Prof Ndapa Nakashole

Prof Ndapa Nakashole

Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of California

Dr. Robert Ambunda

Dr. Robert Ambunda

Lead researcher in the Transport and Mobility Lab

Ms Audrey Chanakira

Ms Audrey Chanakira

Information Technology professional and a passionate advocate for women empowerment in tech-related fields

 Dr Wanja Njuguna

Dr Wanja Njuguna

Senior Lecturer: Journalism and Media Technology at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

Mr Nawa Likando

Mr Nawa Likando

Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation, MTC

Dr Erling Kavita

Dr Erling Kavita

Executive Director: Directorate: ADS and Satellite Campuses (NUST)

Ms Kiito Shilongo

Ms Kiito Shilongo

Senior Tech Fellow, Mozilla Foundation

Mr Ndaudika Mulundileni

Mr Ndaudika Mulundileni

CEO/Co-Founder- Engenete Investments cc (Mindsinaction)

Prof Guy Alain Zodi

Prof Guy Alain Zodi

Associate Dean: School of Computing, NUST

Mr Joseph Mwatukange

Mr Joseph Mwatukange

Customer Experience Administrator, Old Mutual

Mr Tangeni Shikomba

Mr Tangeni Shikomba

Backend Software Engineer, USA

Dr Colin Stanley

Dr Colin Stanley

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, innovation and Partnerships (NUST)

Prof Fungai Bhunu Shava

Prof Fungai Bhunu Shava

Acting Executive Dean: Faculty of Computing and Informatics

Ms. Josephina Muntuumo

Ms. Josephina Muntuumo

Lecturer, School of Computing (UNAM)