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Société Générale Côte d’Ivoire, the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB), the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (ENSEA), École Polytechnique (l’X), and the Foundation of École Polytechnique have renewed their commitment to the “Data Science Institute” international Chair. The renewal was celebrated on July 8, 2024.
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Inaugurated in 2017, the “Data Science Institute” Chair is co-headed by three university lecturers and researchers: Alain Durmus at l’X, Lambert Tanoh at INP-HB, and Nathaniel Gbenro at ENSEA. This Chair aims to enhance data management skills in Côte d’Ivoire and the broader West African region.
A significant milestone of the Chair has been the establishment of a Master’s degree in “Data Science, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence,” a two-year course in mathematical and computer engineering hosted at INP-HB. The program, which will see its sixth cohort graduate in November 2024, has trained over 135 data scientists, data engineers, and data analysts working across various companies in Côte d’Ivoire and Africa.
In addition to the Master’s program, a 30-module continuing education course for managers is offered by ENSEA, further supporting professional development in the field.
Building on these successes, a research component was added to the Chair, welcoming PhD students with theses co-supervised by research teams in both Côte d’Ivoire and France. The renewal of the Chair aims to consolidate these activities and expand its scope, particularly focusing on cybersecurity research.
A new Master’s degree in “Security, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence,” supported and run by INP-HB, has been developed. This program, taught by INP-HB faculty and industry specialists, aims to equip future talent in Ivorian and African companies with the skills to leverage AI in combating cyber-attacks.
The renewal of the “Data Science Institute” Chair underscores a continued commitment to advancing data science education and research, addressing both current and emerging challenges in the digital landscape.
