UCalgary professor grows data science opportunities across borders

Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, and thanks to the efforts of an assistant professor, students and faculty members in developing countries are being given new opportunities to participate in and help shape that growth.

As part of an international initiative, Getting Data Science Done Across Borders, Dr. Andy Asare, PhD, recently visited Africa and conducted a series of data science bootcamps, seminars, and conferences in Ghana and Rwanda. The goal is to partner with educators, students, industry leaders, and policymakers to promote the development and application of data science and analytics.

During his work in Africa, the assistant professor with the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science volunteered with Academics Without Borders (AWB), partnering with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana to deliver hands-on training, faculty workshops, and student-focused programming. He also worked with institutions such as the Central University, the University of Kigali, the University of Rwanda, the Adventist University of Central Africa, and Kepler College. 

Asare’s work is both professional and personal — he was born in Ghana and received his early education there and in China. “There are a lot of brilliant students in Africa,” he says. “They just don’t always have access to the same resources we have here in Canada.”

Growing opportunities in Africa

During his visits to Africa, Asare held two major conferences, and various bootcamps focused on real-world data science and analytics applications. 

More than 400 participants from universities in countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, India, Australia, Germany and Canada attended the second annual data science conference. The online conference allowed students to present their multidisciplinary data science projects, offering solutions to real-world problems, to an international audience. “The goal,” Asare says, “is to help institutions think creatively about how data science can be embedded across disciplines and sectors.”

Expanding beyond the academic community

One of the biggest challenges that graduates face in many African countries is that organizations don’t use data science and analytics.

“There may only be a handful of companies actively applying data science in their business models,” says Asare. He says this creates a cycle where graduates struggle to find hands-on experience, while businesses fail to benefit from data science. Asare has been working with industry leaders and governments to promote the use of technology and develop incentives to bring students and businesses together, such as including real-life business projects in academic curricula and government support through funding mechanisms and startup visas.

“It’s a vicious circle,” he says. “If it’s not seen as a priority, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The question becomes: what will push businesses to invest in it?”

Influencing policy and national strategy

Asare has engaged with government officials and education leaders in Ghana and Rwanda about the need for increased investment in data science education and infrastructure. He also plans to meet with Ghana’s Ministries of Innovation and Education to discuss an AI-enabled classrooms pilot project and other initiatives.

This year, he’s working on the first Global Faculty Immersion and Academic Partnership Program (GFIAPP). It would invite international institutional partners to UCalgary to participate in teaching and learning workshops, seminars, tour the university facilities, meet Canadian colleagues, and explore long-term academic and research collaborations.

Asare’s teaching philosophy informs his work. 

“I see it as my social teaching responsibility,” he explains. “I have a responsibility to give back and share my expertise where it’s needed. It’s always important to look at what we’re doing here and extend that impact globally.”

The Third Annual Data Science and Analytics Conference, under Asare's leadership, will be held in May 2026.