Dr Tahi Technical data bootcamp post

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the achievements and growing impact of women everywhere, especially those driving innovation and change through data science. Researchers from the Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières (LABEF) at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin recently participated in the African Women in Data Science Fellowship. Dr. Souand Tahi (SSACAB postdoctoral fellow), Dr. Ariane Houetohossou (co-supervisor for MSc & PhD, at UA-C), Dr. Clarisse Dete, Mirabelle Gandji, Consolas Hodonou, and Paulette Guedezoumè successfully completed the Technical Data Science Bootcamp hosted at the Holiday Inn (Two Rivers), Nairobi.

Delivered by Moringa School, this intensive training provided a hands-on learning experience focused on building practical skills in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, while encouraging collaboration and innovation among African women scientists. Organized by AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development), the program aimed to strengthen the capacity of African women professionals to apply data science solutions to agrifood systems and climate resilience challenges.

During the two-week training, participants developed competencies in:
• Python for data science and machine learning
• Interactive data visualization using Power BI
• AI applications leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Collaborative problem-solving applied to agrifood and climate challenges

This experience marks an important step toward strengthening data-driven research and innovation in Africa, and the researchers look forward to applying these new skills to advance sustainable agrifood systems and climate-resilient solutions. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Professor Romain Glèlè Kakaï for being an integral part of this inspiring initiative.