Keynote Speakers
Prof. (Dr.) Abdullah Khan
Professor & Head (MCA)
University Institute of Computing Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab India.
Prof. Abdullah Khan is a distinguished figure in the field of Computer Science, serving as the Professor and Head of the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) program at the University Institute of Computing, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India. Holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the School of Computer Applications at Babu Banarasi Das University in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, Prof. Khan’s expertise lies in the realm of Software Engineering, with a specific focus on Software Testability. His doctoral research, titled “Measuring Testability of Object-Oriented Design at Design Phase,” showcases his dedication to advancing the understanding and methodologies surrounding software development processes. Born in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, Prof. Abdullah Khan is of Indian nationality and has pursued an illustrious academic journey. He completed his post-graduation with a Master of Computer Applications (M.C.A.) from Uttar Pradesh Technical University in Lucknow in 2006, following which he embarked on his doctoral studies. Prof. Khan’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) from Lucknow University, as well as secondary and higher secondary education from the Board of High School and Intermediate Education in Uttar Pradesh. His commitment to academic excellence and his contributions to the field of Computer Science make him a respected figure both within the academic community and the broader industry landscape.
Prof. Dr. samuel mungai mbuguah
Associate Professor/Director Planning and Organization Performance
Kibabii University Bungoma
Professor Samuel Mungai Mbuguah is a distinguished academic with a remarkable educational journey spanning across reputable institutions worldwide. He earned his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Electronic Engineering from the Chartered Engineering Institute in the United Kingdom, solidifying his foundation in Electronic Engineering. Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Science in Computer-Based Information Systems at the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom, augmenting his expertise in the realm of technology. Driven by a quest for deeper knowledge, he completed his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Information Technology from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya, where he delved into advanced research in his field of specialization. Professor Mbuguah’s expertise lies at the intersection of Information Technology and Electronic Engineering, making him a versatile and sought-after figure in academia and industry alike. His membership in prestigious professional bodies such as the British Computer Society (BCS), Engineering Council (UK) as a Chartered Engineer, and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) underscores his commitment to excellence and professional development. Professor Mbuguah’s professional research interests gravitate towards metrics and modeling, as well as exploring computer software and hardware architectures. His dedication to advancing knowledge in these domains not only enriches academic discourse but also contributes significantly to the evolution of technology in contemporary society.
Dr. Diana Bogdanova
Associate Professor
Department of Computer Mathematics and Cybernetics
Ufa University of Science and Technology
Dr. Diana Bogdanova is an esteemed Associate Professor celebrated for her expertise at the nexus of technology and social-economic systems. With an illustrious academic trajectory, she commenced her scholarly voyage in Ufa, Russian Federation, excelling in both secondary and lyceum education, culminating in the receipt of a Certificate with Honors and a Silver medal. Her fervor for Mathematical Methods in Economics propelled her through Ufa State Aviation Technical University, where she garnered a Diploma with Honors in 2005, followed by a Ph.D. in Technics specializing in Management in social and economic systems in 2008. Adding to her accolades, she acquired a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science with Honors in 2016. Dr. Bogdanova’s professional narrative unfolds with diverse experiences, beginning as a Technician at RADEK, LTD (Ufa) from 2000 to 2003, transitioning to a Leading Economist until 2005. Since then, she has been an indispensable asset at Ufa University of Science and Technology (UUST), where she currently serves as Associate Professor within the Faculty of Computer Science and Robotics (FCSR) and the Department of Computing Mathematics and Cybernetics (DCMC). Over her decade-long tenure at UUST, she has made substantial contributions to academic and research pursuits. Dr. Bogdanova’s research spectrum is broad and interdisciplinary, spanning Customer Relationship Management, Multi-agent systems, Ontological Knowledge Bases, Decision Support Systems, Social-Economic Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Affective computing. Her innovative endeavors have positioned her as a thought leader in her field, driving forward the frontiers of knowledge and shaping the future of technology and social-economic systems.
Prof Alta van der Merwe
Deputy Dean, Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
University of Pretoria
Prof Alta van der Merwe, a distinguished leader in computer science and informatics with over two decades of experience, currently serves as the Deputy Dean of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria. With a tenure of over 12 years at the university, she has held key positions including Deputy Dean and Head of Department for Informatics, showcasing her adeptness in academic leadership. Prior to her role at the University of Pretoria, Prof van der Merwe served as a Principal Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), gaining valuable insights into applied research and industry collaboration. Her academic journey is marked by excellence, culminating in a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of South Africa and a strong foundation in computer science and mathematics from esteemed institutions. Throughout her career, she has been deeply involved in impactful projects like the MOSAIC 2B initiative, demonstrating her commitment to leveraging technology for societal development. As a full professor, she has significantly contributed to computer science education and research, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and nurturing talent. Prof Alta van der Merwe’s enduring dedication to academic excellence and research innovation continues to shape the future of engineering, built environment, and information technology, making her an inspirational figure within the university community.
Dr Audrey Masizana
Dr Audrey Masizana is a Senior Scholar and former Head of Department of Computer Science at the University of Botswana. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from University of Manchester UK (2004). She is also Fellow of Botswana Academy of Sciences (FBAS) since 2021 and Global Health International Scholar of University of Pennsylvania, USA (2023-2026).
Her teaching and research interests are in the Science of Data, Decision, and Intelligent Systems. Audrey is interested in interdisciplinary post graduate research around Scientific Application of Data for Intelligent Decision-Making including application of Data Mining and Data Warehousing technologies.
She is a well-seasoned researcher with 40+ publications. She currently serves as a University of Botswana Project Investigator of a multi university project “Towards Open Science Communities development in Sub-Saharan Africa Region” – OSCAR funded by the European Commission (January 2024). Also currently serves as a Project Investigator of a project named Kamogano in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) entitled “Evaluating the flow of clinical information from and to the front-line clinicians within Botswana Health Information Systems” (2021). She is also a Project Investigator of a project named MLCOVID19 funded by the University of Botswana entitled “Application of Machine Learning Techniques to predict COVID-19 progression amongst patients in Botswana” (2022) through risk analysis on survival and mortality rates using data collected during the pandemic.
As a member of Botswana CODATA National Committee, she is a strong advocate and passionate of the adoption of Open Data Open Science Policies and Instruments locally and across the continent. Currently she is the Chair of the development of the Botswana Open Data Policy. She was re-elected in October 2023 to serve for 2 years into the Executive Committee of the CODATA for International Science Council.
Over the years, she has chaired academic conferences including Information Technology for Development Africa (IASTED Africa 2014, 2016), International Conference in Cyber-Security and Information systems conference series referenced in ICICIS 2016 and here. Also, the International Data Week (IDW 2018) spearheaded by the University of Botswana. She has served as a member of the African Technical Advisory Committee which formed part of the first
committee that established the African Open Science Platform in 2017. She is also one of the innovators of the VizAfrica Network and chaired the second VizAfrica Conference in 2019 delivered in collaboration with CODATA.
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Department of Computer Science
