Emerging Technologies in Spotlight at FoICT Research Day. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has changed the world through technological advancement. Information and communication technologies are driving the fourth industrial revolution, in fact, they will power the future of work.
Thus, the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, (FoICT) is involved in a variety of research and innovation projects that have a significant impact on society. In his opening address at the FoICT Faculty Research Day hosted at TUT, DR Etienne van Wyk said that hosting the annual Faculty Research Day is a highlight of our annual activities.
Emerging Technologies in Spotlight at FoICT Research Day
The FoICT Research Day focused on the need to deliver a well-prepared cohort of the next generation researchers, postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows to the market; in addition, creating an environment conducive to researchers thriving and building a critical mass of research leaders who are inspired and mentored.
This day also focused on the priority areas that provide TUT with a reputation for its solution-based approach and digitalization of the research environment.
As part of this year’s research and innovation presentations, a variety of emerging technologies were discussed, including the internet of things, extended reality, cybersecurity, data science, and analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, image processing, and computer vision, as well as business computing, management, and innovation.
Several important MoUs have been signed by the Faculty recently with MICT SETA, Sentech and PSETA. At TUT’s Institute for the Future of Work (IFoW), the PSETA agreement was the first project to begin. It examines what skills future ICT support staff will need in the public sector.
The MICT SETA agreement also provides funding for a Research Chair in 4IR, as well as student bursaries and the development of 4IR projects. Last but not least, Sentech plans to establish a center of excellence for cybersecurity and data science.”
Prof Vukosi Marivate delivered the keynote address on the topic “building the African AI we want”. It was stressed that the revolution should be viewed critically and that attendees should be prepared to challenge, learn, and innovate at all times.
Research outputs for FoICT in 2022 will be twice as many as they were in 2021. There is an increase in research output units due to the large number of faculty members who recently obtained their doctorates, as well as the increase in Master’s and Doctoral students who have published with their supervisors. A variety of measures are also being implemented at the Faculty to increase research outputs.
There have been 135 graduates in postgraduate research qualifications, 118 master’s graduates, and 17 doctoral students in the last five years, despite the Faculty’s limited staffing. The organization started a flagship project in digital agriculture last year, and there are already 22 projects using artificial intelligence in agriculture.
One panel of judges identified the best researchers among the eleven participants who presented their research this year and awarded them tokens of appreciation.
Lastly, Dr Van Wyk asked: “Let us celebrate the power of inquiry to shape a brighter tomorrow.”
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