Call for Participation: AI Compute Faculty Development Initiative

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Call for Participation: AI Compute Faculty Development Initiative

(2nd Cohort – 2026)

Building AI Teaching Capacity. Empowering African Educators. Shaping the Future.

Programme Objective 

The AI Compute Faculty Development Initiative is a flagship capacity-building programme designed to strengthen Artificial Intelligence (AI) teaching, research, and innovation across Africa. The initiative is jointly implemented by the African Union–African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU–ASRIC), the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, and Peking University, following the successful implementation of the 1st Cohort in April 2026.

The 1st Cohort attracted over 130 applications from 24 African countries, demonstrating the growing continental demand for AI capacity development and advanced computing skills. Selected participants underwent intensive training in AI systems, computing infrastructure, and innovative teaching methodologies, with strong emphasis on practical application, research collaboration, and knowledge transfer.

Building on this success, the 2nd Cohort seeks to further expand Africa’s AI capacity by training a new group of university lecturers as “Seed Teachers” who will replicate AI knowledge, develop curricula, strengthen institutional AI programmes, and drive transformation within their respective universities and countries. Through this model, participants are expected to:

• - Deliver AI courses locally;
• - Develop institutional AI programmes;
• - Train students and fellow academics; and
• - Contribute to national and regional AI ecosystems. 

For this cohort, 15 university lecturers will be selected from eligible African countries to participate in the programme. The initiative ultimately aims to promote high-quality AI education, hands-on training, research excellence, and cross-border collaboration, while aligning with global efforts to bridge the AI divide and position Africa as an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem.

Programme Structure and Content

The training programme is designed as an intensive, practice-oriented experience combining lectures, laboratories, and collaborative learning.

Key areas of training include:

• - AI systems and computing architecture (CPU, GPU, NPU)
• - Machine learning systems and deep learning execution
• - AI compilers and optimization techniques
• - Large-scale model training and parallel computing
• - Open-source AI frameworks (e.g., FlagOS ecosystem)
• - Curriculum development and innovative teaching methods 

Participants will also gain exposure to real-world AI applications through interaction with leading research institutions and industry ecosystems.

Eligibility Criteria

Institutional Requirements

Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized university that:

• - Offers programmes in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, or related disciplines;
• - Has reliable internet connectivity and basic computing infrastructure;
• - Demonstrates the capacity to implement AI teaching and training programmes;
• - Shows institutional commitment to strengthening AI education and research. 

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must:

• - Be a university lecturer in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or related fields;
• - Possess a minimum qualification of a PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline;
• - Be not more than 45 years of age at the time of application;
• - Demonstrate proven experience in teaching, research, or practical application of AI-related fields such as machine learning, deep learning, AI systems, data science, or computational technologies;
• - Demonstrate proficiency in English or French with strong communication and instructional skills;
• - Show commitment to replicating the acquired knowledge through teaching, curriculum development, and institutional AI capacity building after the training programme.

Exclusion Criteria

Applicants from the following benefitted universities during the 1st Cohort are not encouraged to apply for the 2nd Cohort but may apply for subsequent cohorts:

• - Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts (ISAMM), Tunisia
• - University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
• - Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco
• - Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
• - Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi
• - Gaston Berger University, Senegal
• - University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Ghana
• - Ain Shams University, Egypt
• - Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
• - Vaal University of Technology, South Africa 

Important Note

The application for candidates not selected for the 1st Cohort can be extended to this Call upon sending a request to participate via: asriccongress@gmail.com  with CC: nosikethelma@gmail.com

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will:

• - Acquire advanced technical knowledge in AI compute and systems;
• - Develop the capacity to design and deliver AI curricula;
• - Establish AI training programmes within their institutions;
• - Contribute to the development of localized AI solutions;
• - Join a continental and global network of AI educators and researchers. 

Programme Timeline

• - Application Deadline: 25th June, 2026
• - Selection of Participants: 30th July, 2026
• - Programme Commencement: 10th September, 2026 

Application Process

Interested and eligible candidates are invited to submit their applications before the deadline using the official application form that can be downloaded from the ASRIC official website as follows: 

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Submissions:

Applications should be submitted before the deadline and addressed to the ASRIC Secretariat with an Email subject: Application for AI Compute Faculty Development Initiative (2nd Cohort – 2026) to the following email addresses: asriccongress@gmail.com and cc to nosikethelma@gmail.com

Kindly note: 

• - Any application submitted in formats other than the one furnished by the ASRIC Secretariat will be rejected and denied
• - Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• - Any applications not endorsed by the applicant’s university will be rejected.
• - Any applications received after 25th June 2026 at 4:00PM West Africa Time will be disregarded. In very limited circumstances, BAAI and ASRIC may select two candidates per university. 

ASRIC Secretariat
Date: 6th May 2026