It will be difficult if not impossible to build a digital economy without active contributions of academics and researchers in the tech space. To this end, Jidaw notes that Academia in Information Technology Profession (AITP) will hold its International Conference on Information Technology in Education & Development (ITED) from 24th – 27th April, 2018 at Baze University, Abuja. AITP, an interest group of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) themes the conference: “Information Technology for Promotion of Quality Education, Research and Local Content Development”.
It is a call to examine how to harness the strengths of academics (scholars, lecturers, researchers, etc) in this most critical sector. Jidaw asks: What constitutes quality education and research in the 21st century in the IT environment? How can academia and research in tech contribute in meaningful terms towards the achievement of real local content development?
The announcement from AITP indicates selected papers will be published in:
Journal of Computer Science and Its Application
International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Emerging Technologies
A workshop will be conducted on “Effective Use of Education and Research Tools”.
Organizers have Called for Papers based on the following Sub-themes:
– Standardization and Quality Assurance in IT-based Education
– Digital Opportunities for National Development
– Promoting Development Research in IT
– Technology, Innovation & Discoveries
– Learning Technologies
– Educational Management
– IT-based Strategies for Local Content Development
– Entrepreneurship and Business Development
– E-Technologies: e-health, e-agriculture, e-commerce, etc.
– Grant Proposal Writing
– Artificial Intelligence for Development
– Emerging and Disruptive Technologies
Call for Papers: Important dates and deadlines:
Paper Submission – 28th January, 2018
Acceptance Notification – 17th February, 2018
Final Paper Submission – 3rd March, 2018
Organizers have asked that full article(s) be sent to:
academia.infotech@gmail.com
Registration Fees:
Member – N30,000
Non-Member – N35,000
Student – N20,000
International – $120
Account Details for Registration
Zenith Bank
Account Name: Academia in IT, Account Number: 1014855220
Role and Relevance of Academia and Research in the Tech Space
The importance of scholarship and research should be obvious. However, beyond the traditional routes and processes, Jidaw urges bringing out of the box approaches to the fore in the fast changing tech sector. Gaps need to be closed and challenges addressed. The Academia – Industry disconnect is almost a proverb.
Academia’s role is simply undeniable. Tech professionals in the academia need to step up and do their part in ensuring the right decisions are made in critical tech and related matters affecting society. Otherwise relevance suffers. The power of tech to address the developmental challenges of hunger, illiteracy, disease and unemployment is acknowledged globally. Bew tech enabled innovation, models and practices are today critical to digital development and inclusion. But in addition to the inputs of industry, government, Jidaw asks: what inputs should come from academia?
In the digital era, capacity development screams for attention in all areas of tech, and the academic environment certainly needs strong focus. Furthermore, Jidaw expects the AITP event to cover improving academic performance and enhancing the relevance of academic and research programs in information technology. As a platform for the future, empowerment opportunities for young scholars in the field and strategies for developing capacity should be explored.
Future tech is taking over. Jidaw questions: What are the responses and attitudes of the academic and research community? Are programmes developed and updated strategically with relevance in mind? Fit for what purpose now and in future? Academia cannot afford to be left behind and researchers in AI and other emerging tech will share expertise and new thinking. For Jidaw, a challenge is how the ivory tower will help as technology reshapes society in revolutionary and dramatic ways?
Local content development is integral to economic diversification. Oil is not the future. Jidaw cautions that copycatting is not the solution, instead the focus should be on tech driven models that are right in the Nigerian context.
Academia and research cannot drive change alone. According information getting to Jidaw, the event will facilitate engagement with private sector organizations and government agencies. This will inevitably throw up new initiatives, collaborations and work opportunities. In the opinion of Jidaw, it cannot afford to be a jamboree. For the creative and forward looking it is about making progress in an area that matters. AITP 2018 event is a unique gathering of academics and researchers in tech, the first ever. Jidaw expects AITP to use this opportunity to listen to needs of its members and determine advocacy priorities. However, it is more than an event limited to computer scientists and tech professionals from academia, and so participants and resource persons will be exposed to high value networking opportunities.
The event holds great promise. This community of tech is vital. Jidaw expects impressive outcomes from the conference. It’s about achieving sustainable development through the significant contributions of academia and research in IT profession.
Planning Committee:
Chairman: Prof. A. S. Sodiya +2348034551851
Vice Chairman: Dr. Mohammad S. Aliyu +2348036110071
Secretary: Ajayi Ebenezer Akinyemi (Esq) +60192907420
Host: Prof. A. A. Obinyi, President, Academia in Information Technology Profession
Chief Host: Prof. G. A. Aderounmu
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