UVCI News

On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Multipurpose Hall at the Virtual University of Côte d’Ivoire (UVCI) hosted the opening ceremony of the African Geophysical Society (AGS) conference and workshop. Organized as part of the organization’s biennial activities, this scientific gathering brings together experts, academics, and young researchers to explore new opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and data science.

Under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for Earth and Space Sciences in Africa,” the 2026 edition is taking place from October 26 to 30, with the first day at UVCI and the remainder of the proceedings at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (UFHB).

The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Professor KOBEA Arsène, chief of staff to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Professor KONE Tiémoman, president of UVCI; and Tidjane Ouattara, Director General of the Ivorian Space Agency, alongside representatives of the international scientific community.

Speaking on behalf of Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Arsène KOBEA emphasized the importance of having reliable and structured data to improve the performance of artificial intelligence systems.

According to him, the development of these technologies depends on the creation of sufficiently extensive and high-quality databases. In this regard, he highlighted the role of the Ivorian Space Agency in coordinating existing data initiatives to promote their use in support of national development.

The establishment of this agency, he noted, thus presents an opportunity to better organize the country’s information resources and strengthen their contribution to development policies.

For Tidjane OUATTARA, Director General of the Ivorian Space Agency, this conference and training program is of particular interest due to the close ties between geophysics and space sciences.

He praised the initiative for helping to develop the skills needed to support the growth of Côte d’Ivoire’s space sector. He also reaffirmed his institution’s willingness to support the efforts of the African Geophysical Society, noting that the Society’s influence and the Space Agency’s achievements are closely linked.

Beyond scientific exchanges, this event thus serves as a platform for preparing the next generation, by giving young Ivorians and African researchers the opportunity to strengthen their mastery of the tools and methods essential to careers in the space sector.

As a co-organizer of the event, the Virtual University of Côte d’Ivoire (UVCI) views its participation as fully aligned with its mission to promote digital technology and new technologies.

The president of the UVCI, Professor Koné Tiémoman, noted that the theme of this year’s event aligns with his institution’s priorities, whose activities focus in particular on digital technology, data science, and artificial intelligence.

He thus explained the University’s commitment to organizing this event, which provides a framework for learning, sharing experiences, and collaboration among scientific researchers.

Through this support, UVCI reaffirms its commitment to contributing to initiatives that promote the development of digital skills and the adoption of emerging technologies by scientific communities.

Professor Olivier Obrou, President of the AGS and the organizing committee, presented the main components of this conference-workshop, which brings together participants from Nigeria, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and South Africa, among other countries.

The program includes lectures, hands-on workshops, plenary sessions, oral presentations, and scientific poster sessions. These various activities aim to strengthen participants’ capabilities in mastering the tools and methods related to artificial intelligence and data science.

Young scientists, students, and staff members from the relevant institutions are the primary beneficiaries of this training, which is designed to strengthen their skills and prepare them to contribute to future research projects.

By bringing together African stakeholders in geophysics and space sciences to explore the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence, the 2026 edition of the AGS conference-school aims to foster the emergence of new expertise and strengthen the continent’s scientific capabilities. Furthermore, the UVCI’s hosting of this event underscores the growing importance of digital technology and data science in the research and innovation landscape of Côte d’Ivoire.