Newton Fund for capacity building in data intensive science in the Middle-East

This project will help create capacity in the application of artificial intelligence and applying big data techniques. These will be critical to enabling the partner countries to apply these advance techniques to solve development challenges in agriculture, healthcare and the environment. It is planned to start the project in Jordan and once the training programmes are established to extend it to Egypt and Turkey.

The Big Data revolution is everywhere. The Artificial Intelligence approach to data analysis and mining would contribute not only to the Physical Sciences in the Middle East, but also to transportation, the oil industry, health and many other areas. Data science is therefore a key developmental goal for the host countries. The proposed programme will enable a regional capacity building in Jordan (and later Egypt and Turkey) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) through analysing Big Data in Astronomy and Particle Physics. The programme will be modelled on UCL's successful STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science (DIS) which included extensive collaboration with hi-tech industry partners. The aim is to extend our UCL CDT-DIS model for collaboration and networking with interested groups in the Middle East, building in research secondments for academics in both the UK and the partner countries.

The programme will provide a world-leading training experience, co-created and co-delivered by industry, which will result in highly
trained and well-rounded AI-experts, with a truly unique skill-set, who will become future AI-leaders in Jordan in both academia and industry, helping address the significant national skills-shortage in this area and driving forward the economy. We will build and existing industrial partners in the UK and extend it to similar companies in Jordan.
As well as numerous economical, educational and cultural benefits from the fundamental research undertaken in
the programme, for instance cutting-edge technology development (such as the World Wide Web, superconductivity and
medical imaging techniques), many of the research projects will have a direct impact.