For the first time in its 38-year history, the South African Institute for Computer Scientists and Information Technologists (SAICSIT) will stage its annual ICT industry conference online this year.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and stringent rules against large gatherings, many conference organisers have been forced to cancel events. However, more people coming online presented an opportunity to switch to virtual conferences and events.
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), which is organising the 2020 SAICSIT Conference, has also decided to go the virtual route, hosting the annual event via the Whova app and portal in conjunction with Zoom.
Dr Travis Noakes, post-doctoral research fellow at CPUT, encourages industry players to secure their virtual seats. “The SAICSIT conference has supported local education, research and development in computing and IT for over 40 years. SAICSIT's annual conference typically attracts academics and practitioners from Southern Africa, along with a number of prominent international scholars.”
CPUT’s professor Izak Van Zyl adds: “In these unprecedented times, it becomes ever-more pertinent to consider the affordances of digital technology in unlocking new opportunities for the many marginalised people on our continent.
“The conference is thus an occasion for our community of scholars, practitioners and students to reflect, critically, on how we interface with a digital Africa. Based on this understanding, it is our hope that we can build towards highly impactful uses of technology in our unique and challenging environment.”
Established in 1982, SAICSIT focuses on research and development in the field of computing and information technology in SA. One of its core objectives is to enhance communication among members and all interested parties regarding research and development projects.
The SAICSIT Conference, which has been taking place annually since1985, is part of the institute’s objectives to support education and training; to monitor the availability of human resources for research and development; and seek solutions to technical and socio-economic problems in SA.
Held under the theme “Interfacing with Digital Africa”, this year’s conference will take place from 14 to 16 September.
Noakes explains the theme seeks to address how the work of computer science and information technology researchers interfaces with unique opportunities and challenges on the continent.
“It also aims to spotlight the gaps and challenges for our research community’s exploration of under-resourced settings and marginalised communities outside the defaults of standard computing and information technology environments.”
Even though there is plenty of excitement for the first virtual SAICSIT Conference, Noakes says the switch from physical to a virtual event has not been without its challenges.
“The first challenge is that it will be the first time that SAICSIT 2020 has ever hosted a virtual conference, so there is a learning curve for its organisers and participants, alike. Africa Massive has been a great help in guiding the organising committee and establishing the infrastructure for the conference.
“The second challenge is attracting sponsors to a virtual event, as it has opportunities they may be unfamiliar with. We are also new to virtual exhibition centres and their diverse promotional opportunities.
“A third challenge is that there are many more digital touchpoints for this conference, which entails wider and more frequent testing, plus related communication when there are issues. We will test the virtual conference in advance of the event with a few users, but then must trust that it can cope with over 100 delegates from across Africa being on it simultaneously.”
Despite this, SAICSIT 2020 has had a great response from academics, with 75 papers being submitted, reveals Noakes.
He adds they have confirmed the first keynote speaker, professor Johannes Cronje, and are in the process of confirming the full list of speakers.
“Linked to the conference is the 2020 annual (virtual) seminar of the Southern African Chapter of the Association for Information Systems and the postgraduate symposium, which take place on its first day.”
Registration for the conference is currently open, with the price of attendance ranging from R1 700 to R2 100, states Noakes.
He points out that discounts are available for early registration and to SAICSIT members. For the early-bird SAICSIT member, registration is R1 700. The early-bird non-member registration is priced at R1 900.
In terms of late registration (before 14 September), the pricing for the standard member ticket is R1 900, while the standard non-member ticket costs R2 100.
To register for the 2020 SAICSIT virtual conference, click here.
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