28 The 12th International Development Informatics Association Conference (IDIA 2022) The Department of Applied Information Systems (AIS), in collaboration with the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), hosted the 12th edition of the International Development Association Conference 2022. The event was held at the Southern Sun Hotel, Emnotweni in Mbombela from 22 to 25 November 2022. The conference was hybrid – that is, both in-person and online. The event kicked off with two workshops: An SPSS modeller workshop delivered by Prof. Efosa Carroll Idemudia from Arkansas Tech University, which was held on the morning of 22 November, and one on design science research methodology that was delivered that afternoon by Prof. Marlien Herselman from the CSIR . The Master’s and Doctorates (M&D) symposium was held on 23 November, in which 17 M&Ds presented their research to a panel of four senior academics and the other delegates, and received valuable feedback. The day ended with a cocktail function at the Sudwala Caves. The main conference took place on 24 and 25 November. On the 24th, the conference began with entertainment from traditional dancers, followed by a welcoming address by the acting CEO of the Mpumalanga Convention Bureau, Mr Mduduzi Vilakazi, and the keynote address by the Honourable Michael Onyango (former Minister of ICT in one of the counties in Kenya). His address focused on thinking out of the box in order to make a visible impact. This was followed by nine sessions that offered a range of themes. The day ended with a gala dinner hosted at the hotel. The next day (25 November) started with a keynote speech by Prof. Bruce Watson, Chair of Computational Thinking at the University of Stellenbosch. He gave a very insightful presentation that highlighted various ICT innovations and how South Africa should position itself to gain from these innovations. This was followed by three presentations by delegates. The conference ended with closing remarks from Prof. Judy van Biljon, Chair of the International Development Association Committee. Overall, the conference was a major success. Well done to the organising teams from AIS and the UMP.
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