August 26, 2025
Tsaone Swaabow Thapelo
BOTSWANA NATIONAL CODATA COMITTEE
From July 27 to August 16, 2025, I participated in two intensive, back-to-back pro-grams at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy: 1. the CODATA-RDA School for Research Data Science and, 2. the CODATA-RDA Advanced Workshops for Research Data Science – Smart Cities 
and Urban Environments; facili- tated by: Marcela A. Cordoba (University of California, Santa Cruz, USA), Louise M. Bezuidenhout (University of Leiden, Netherlands), Simon D. Hodson (CODATA, France), Ekpe A. Okorafor (Big Data Academy, USA), Bianca Peterson (Fathom Data, South Africa), Robert E. Quick (Indiana University, USA), Hugh Shanahan (Royal Holloway University, UK), and Shanmugasundaram Venkataraman (University of Edinburgh, UK).
The curriculum covered a broad range of advanced topics, including Research Data Man- agement, Big Data, Machine Learning, Unix/Linux Shell scripting, High-Throughput Computing (HTC), Urban Data Science, Internet of Things (IoT), and Geospatial An- alytics. Engaging with these cutting-edge subjects in a venue endorsed by UNESCO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) added a global perspective to my learning and emphasised the relevance of these tools and methodologies for research and applied technology. The hands-on training in Geospatial Analytics with Google Earth Engine is relevant for Botswana’s emerging national satellite and technology initiatives.
The skills and knowledge gained through this training equip me to address pressing na- tional challenges, such as the current healthcare supply chain crises by designing real-time monitoring and predictive systems for medicine distribution, while leveraging AI and Big Data analytics to detect inefficiencies, forecast demand, and support transparent, evi- dence based decision-making, contributing to sustainable access to essential healthcare.
My participation in these events supports my contribution within the Botswana CODATA National Committee under Priority Area 4 by enhancing my skills in Data Science, AI, IoT, and FAIR data principles. This training will enable me to contribute to building national capacity by training early-career researchers and educators, supporting evidence- based policymaking in health, education, agriculture, and governance, while promoting inclusive access to data skills for youth, women, and underrepresented communities, and contributing to national curricula, data stewardship frameworks, and international col- laborations. These efforts align with Botswana’s goals of developing a skilled workforce, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering sustainable, data-driven innovation.
