Karachi: The Aga Khan University (AKU) has been recognized for its pioneering efforts in utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance research administration. Melaine D'Cruze, the Director of the Research Office at AKU, received the Technology Innovation and Application Award from the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) for her leadership in developing the AI-enabled institutional assistant, RO-Bot.

According to the Aga Khan University, RO-Bot was created to address the challenges faced by researchers and grant administrators across Pakistan, East Africa, and the United Kingdom. The assistant provides real-time guidance, making research policies, procedures, and grant administration information readily accessible, thereby reducing repetitive administrative tasks and improving consistency.

The recognition highlights the innovation's role in making institutional knowledge easier to access, which aims to provide researchers and administrators with greater autonomy and more time for strategic tasks. Dr. Salim Virani, Vice Provost Research at AKU, emphasized the strategic importance of using technology to create a more connected and efficient research ecosystem.

Established in 2010, the SRAI award honors individuals or teams that advance research administration through technology. Melaine D'Cruze's contributions extend beyond RO-Bot, as she is also involved in the Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa Consortium, focusing on AI-enabled approaches to bolster research administration capacity.

Melaine expressed that receiving the award is both an honor and a reaffirmation of the transformative potential of technology. The international recognition of AKU underscores the university's commitment to using AI not only as a technological tool but as a means to strengthen research systems and collaboration worldwide.