The ACE within IDI launched the BIG (Big Data Interest Group) that will;

  • Raise awareness within the regional research community on the potential applications of this computational technology
  • Generate interest in data sciences and create pools of interested scientists across a variety of disciplines.
  • The BIG will also develop links with other networks with similar interests such as the H3Africa consortium, and the Eastern Africa Network for Bioinformatics Training(EANBIT)
  • Create a platform where scientists come together and discuss Data science, Bioinformatics and Genomics related work

Keynote speeches at the launch about “Big Data in Health: Potentials, Challenges and Statistical Implications” and “Functional Host genetic Loci associated with paediatric HIV-disease progression in Uganda and Botswana” by the Executive Director IDI, Dr. Andrew Kambugu, Director ACE, Dr. Daudi Jjingo, Head of Statistics IDI, Dr. Agnes Kiragga and Dr. Gerald Mboowa, Senior Bioinformatics Scientist at IDI.