On December 31, 2025, the Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) officially announced the winners of the 2nd IDSAI Young Scientist Award for 2025. This award is an initiative by the institute to support young scientists, aiming to recognize outstanding contributions by young scholars in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence.The winner of this year's award is Prof. Kelvin Joseph Bwalya, Director of Research Development and Professor of Computer Information Systems at Sohar University, Oman.

Prof. Kelvin Joseph Bwalya is a renowned expert in data science and artificial intelligence, and a Fellow of IDSAI. He holds a PhD in Information Management from the University of Johannesburg, an MSc in Computer Science from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and a BSc in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from Moscow Power Engineering Technical University. Previously, he served as Deputy Dean for Research and Internationalization at the University of Johannesburg and has been a visiting professor at several international universities.Prof. Bwalya's research interests span a wide range, including data science, artificial intelligence, e-Government, business process automation, big data, ambient intelligence, and digital inclusion in developing countries. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, authored 3 monographs, and edited 6 books, with more than 2,400 citations on Google Scholar. He has also supervised numerous postgraduate students and served as a PhD examiner and committee member at multiple universities.

The primary reason for this award is Prof. Bwalya's outstanding contributions to the application of data science and artificial intelligence, particularly in integrating AI technologies into public sector business automation, e-Government development, and the practical promotion of emerging technologies (such as blockchain and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies) in developing countries. His research on AI-enhanced government services, mobile business intelligence, and bridging the digital divide has provided significant theoretical support and practical guidance for digital transformation worldwide, especially in developing regions.

IDSAI stated that Prof. Bwalya's achievements exemplify the innovative potential of young scholars in advancing the interdisciplinary integration of data science and artificial intelligence. The awarding of this prize will further inspire more young researchers to engage in this cutting-edge field.