Near East University hosts data science congress with researchers from 13 countries

Near East University hosted a two-day international congress that brought together 42 researchers from 13 countries to discuss artificial intelligence, data science and information technologies, according to a report by Halkın Sesi.

The third International Data Science and Information Technologies Congress, known as INFTEC’26, was organised in cooperation with Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University. It was hosted by Near East University’s Computer Information Systems Research and Technology Centre and held in a hybrid format.

The congress was held under the theme “Reliable Data, Sustainable Technology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”. More than 60 papers were presented, with submissions coming from 86 universities and 12 private-sector organisations, the report said.

The programme covered 77 subjects, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, cybersecurity, robotics, health informatics, precision agriculture, climate-change modelling, education technologies and digital transformation.

Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Umut Aksoy said international cooperation could create research opportunities that institutions might not achieve alone. He also stressed the importance of increasing the international visibility of knowledge produced in North Cyprus, as reported by Halkın Sesi.

Aksoy said technological progress should be considered alongside scientific rigour, ethical principles and its effects on human life. His comments included possible consequences for areas such as diagnosis and treatment.

Co-chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Tahtalı emphasised the need to turn university research into practical results and strengthen links between academia and the private sector. Co-chair Prof. Dr. Nadire Çavuş highlighted reliable data, personal-data privacy and sustainability as issues that should accompany technological development.