The Department of Banking and Finance hosted the 1st Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics Bootcamp in conjunction with Deep Analytics which was the first of its kind in Zimbabwe on the 18th to 22nd June 2018 in Avondale, Harare.
The pioneering group of participants included personnel from commerce, industry and academia. The industry participants included Steward Bank, Econet whilst participants from academia were drawn from Bindura University (BUSE), National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). The facilitators were Professor Nhamoinesu Mtetwa of Glasgow University in Scotland who is Professor in Machine Learning; Dr Panashe Chiurunge, a local expert in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence; Mr Tembo Burawudi, an IT expert with vast experience in extracting business value out of Information Assets and Mr D Murekachiro of BUSE, who specialises in Deep Learning.
The workshop was unique in that it was more of a hands-on unlike others which were too theoretical. This however thrilled most of the participants who had the opportunity to get practical experience from this design training workshop.
The participants received certificates which were issued at the official ceremony by the Dean of Commerce, Professor Blessing Maumbe and the Director of the Research and Postgraduate Centre, Professor Courtie Mahamadi. The occasion was also graced by the BUSE Bursar, Mr BC Hodza.
In terms of future plans, the Banking and Finance department will be holding a Research Indaba on Big Data Analytics earmarked for September 2018.
