Computer Scientists Seek Recognition

A two-day conference on research in computer science ended in Yaounde on December 12, 2013.

Plans are underway for the creation of the Cameroon Society of Computer Sciences. This is the major recommendation arrived at during a two-day conference on research in computer sciences (CRI) that ended in Yaounde on Friday, December 13, 2013.

The conference which was the first in Cameroon was co presided by Professor Maurice Tchuente of the University of Yaounde 1 and the Director of Polytechnic, Prof Charles Awono. The objective will be to define who is a computer scientist or a computer engineer in Cameroon. Also to define what is computer sciences in Cameroon. The conference will be organised every two years to create awareness on research in computer sciences in Cameroon.

One of the participants, Dr. Thomas Djotio, said the major problem facing computer sciences in Cameroon is the confused use of the term. He explained that in Cameroon, every person who interacts with computers can claim to be a computer scientist whereas a computer scientist is one who has had at least a Bachelor's Degree from the department of computer sciences in any university.

The conference was therefore an opportunity for computer scientists and engineers to assess the situation of computer sciences in Cameroon and draw perspectives for the future in terms of development. Organised by the University of Yaounde 1, the conference brought together computer scientists from Cameroon and France as well as contributions from Burkina Faso and Benin.