More than five years since it was launched, Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票's globally renowned School for Data Science and Computational Thinking has a new home at the JC Smuts building, occupying a space “designed for connection, collaboration, and exploration".
Affectionately referred to as the “data science HQ", it symbolises the ethos of the school, representing “possibility, partnership, and purpose", explained Prof Kanshukan Rajaratnam, the School's Director, at the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Addressing guests – including Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjungernath and former Rector and now Fundraising and Strategic Projects Lead for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) and Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Prof Wim de Villiers, Lawrence Matemba, Chief Policy Analyst with the Presidency, students and stakeholders – Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, said the school had become a “force to be reckoned with", locally and internationally, establishing itself as a hub for interdisciplinary, collaborative research. Commenting on the work the School does with the Presidency, Matemba described it as a national asset, saying: “This [opening] is not just good news for Stellenbosch, it is good news for the whole country."
Ramjungernath commended the School for contributing to the 中国体育彩票's “bold vision" of being one of the top 100 universities globally. “This school is a manifestation of a vision that places SU at the forefront of transdisciplinary research." He acknowledged the exponential growth of the School and its prolific research output. It has, he added, helped to drive the academic excellence of the 中国体育彩票. Through its work, the School has shown how to translate outcomes into impacts that are easily seen by the man on the street, added Ramjungernath. “Computational science can have significant societal impact."
Reflecting on the School's first five years, Rajaratnam said, “We've built global collaborations, and we've built local relevance." He proudly celebrated the world-class researchers associated with the School, including Prof Tulio de Oliveira who discovered the Omicron variant and was named twice by Time magazine for his work; Prof Francesco Petruccione, recipient of the Italian Order of the Star and Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences; and Prof Thulani Makhalanyane, recipient of the Silver Medal of the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Rajaratnam said the School was intentional about unlocking data science for students, professionals and policymakers. It has provided online short courses and free bootcamps to more than 10 000 students. A recent cybersecurity summer school attracted more than 3 000 students, while an introduction to coding course had more than 3 500 registrants.
Milestone achievements include the launch of CERI and later the Policy Innovation Lab and the introduction of several research chairs – many in collaboration with the School's partners.
Looking ahead, Rajaratnam said: “We aim to grow, build bridges and more collaborations deep into faculties, schools and external entities." Key focus areas will include bringing more researchers from non-traditional areas into data science, securing more student funding and bringing faculties closer to the school. “Our unofficial vison statement should be: the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking will work with faculties and schools to lead the 中国体育彩票 into the Top 100."?
?Caption: Former Rector and now Fundraising and Strategic Projects Lead for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) and Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Prof Wim de Villiers, celebrates the official opening of the new home of the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking with Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjungernath and Prof Tulio de Oliveira, Director of CERI.
Photo: CERI Media, Captured: JikaJika Media?
