Research Center in Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence (SAI)
Background and Rationale
Africa Social Agenda: The SAI Research Center is strategically designed to align with Africa's social agenda by addressing critical challenges such as environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, and sustainable business practices. Through targeted research initiatives, the center focuses on using AI to develop innovative solutions for climate resilience, green finance, and ethical consumption. By fostering collaboration between E-JUST, Japanese universities, and African institutions, the center promotes interdisciplinary approaches that directly support sustainable economic growth, reduce inequalities, and empower communities across the continent. This focus ensures the center’s research outputs contribute to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing its role in advancing Africa’s development priorities.
Emerging Needs:The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainability in business practices has become crucial for addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges in a rapidly evolving digital environment. The establishment of the SAI Research Center will position E-JUST at the forefront of addressing these interdisciplinary challenges through innovative research and collaboration.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The project fulfills JICA’s guidelines by promoting a multidisciplinary approach involving key fields such as Accounting and IT, economics, Human Resource, and Marketing. This interdisciplinary framework ensures that diverse perspectives are incorporated into addressing sustainability challenges in business practices.
Gender Diversity:The team structure adheres to JICA’s gender diversity guidelines by incorporating female faculty members and Ph.D. scholars, ensuring inclusivity and diverse representation in research and teaching.
Sustainability of Research Outputs:The project emphasizes producing high-impact research through the publication of four to five Q1-Q2 articles. These outputs are not only academically rigorous but also serve as a foundation for securing future funding from international grants such as Horizon Europe, World Bank, and the African Union Research Grants.
Knowledge Transfer to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students: The inclusion of workshops led by Japanese professors ensures direct knowledge transfer to undergraduate students, equipping them with AI applications in sustainability. Joint supervision and co-teaching initiatives with JCU partners further enhance postgraduate learning by integrating practical insights into AI and sustainability into their curricula and research projects.
Capacity Building and Networks for Future Projects:The project builds robust academic and professional networks through the travel of four faculty members to Japan, fostering collaborations with Japanese universities. This serves as a "seed initiative" for expanding future interdisciplinary research projects and funding applications globally.
