College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2023 56 Through the Smart Mobility flagship, CADS has actively engaged the public in discussions about the future of transportation in South Africa. The smart mobility research team held a trip to the University of Cape Town and Go Metro with Mr Peter Mugisha, who has undertaken studies in DPhil in Applied Data Science. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES In 2023, the Postharvest Agriculture, Learning Analytics, and Smart Mobility flagships at CADS were actively involved in various research activities, resulting in several key research outputs published in high-impact journals. These research activities were conducted through collaboration with students, cross-institutional collaboration, and postdoctoral research fellows. Each of these flagships secured university funding to assist with the research endeavours, enabling the teams to undertake in-depth research and produce valuable insights in their respective fields. The CADS grew its research output in 2023 to about 15 research credits with Prof Hossana Twinomurinzi contributing the most units, seconded by our Distinguished Visiting Professor (DVP) Prof Samuel Fosso Wamba. SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION AND FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR) CADS aims to promote sustainability and innovation through 4IR technologies in its three research flagships: Postharvest Agriculture, Learning Analytics, and Smart Mobility. Each flagship focuses on a specific area of concern, with the common goal of infusing innovation and technology into research to create a more sustainable future. Postharvest Agriculture aims to limit product deterioration and optimise supply chain logistics, while the Learning Analytics flagship aims to use data analysis to inform better teaching and learning practices. NATIONAL AND GLOBAL FOOTPRINT In 2023, CADS enhanced its national and global footprint by partnering with TBS Education, Toulouse in France, and Sol Plaatje University in South Africa. These collaborations facilitated sharing of research, teaching, and learning opportunities between institutions. The Centre signed a memorandum of understanding with Sol Plaatje University to promote knowledge transfer between the two institutions, offering staff members valuable opportunities to exchange insights and expertise. Additionally, the partnership with TBS Education allowed CADS to extend its reach to the international community, contributing to a broader and more diverse research perspective. Conversation started with the University of Exeter, including Prof Richard Follett, Deputy ViceChancellor for Global Engagement, and Ms Charlotte Elson, Regional Head for Africa for collaborations in 2024 in the fields of Applied Data Science and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). ACHIEVEMENT Dr Xivuri, hailing from the village of Peninghotsa in Malamulele, Limpopo province of South Africa, made history as the first black female recipient of a PhD in Applied Data Science from the University of Johannesburg. Her groundbreaking research focused on developing a procedural model dedicated to identifying and mitigating bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI) models before their implementation. Dr Xivuri’s thesis submission at the end of 2023 culminated in a remarkable journey of academic excellence and scholarly contributions, exemplifying the University’s commitment to diversity, innovation, and impactful research in the field of data science. Her achievement serves as an inspiration to future generations and underscores the profound impact of inclusive academic endeavours on societal progress. The Centre for Applied Data Science celebrated a significant milestone when it welomed its first cohort of Master of Applied Data Science students
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