Prof Dr Jorge Marx Gómez was awarded an honorary professorship by Nelson Mandela University (Faculty of Science, Department of Computing Science) in November 2025. The inaugural lecture entitled "Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development" took place on 27 May 2026 at Nelson Mandela University.
As part of the honorary professorship, guest lectures will be given on the use of artificial intelligence and data science methods in sustainability applications (mobility, energy, circular economy, water and waste management, smart city and AI in education). Research proposals (DAAD, Horizon, EU-Erasmus) will be submitted for some of the topics, and master's theses and doctorates will be supervised. The expansion of the partnership between the NMU and the University of Oldenburg is particularly important. The co-operation between the two scientific centres MISF (Mandela Institute for Sustainable Futures) and TRUST@UOL (Center for Transformations and Sustainable Futures) is being sought. Initial talks have already taken place. A MoU is currently being developed that demonstrates the willingness to work together. The aim is to expand international partnerships, promote interdisciplinary exchange and provide advice on future-oriented academic issues and research initiatives in the context of sustainability. A virtual academy is currently being set up at the NMU, which is to be linked to the MISF+TRUST@UOL project. Furthermore, the intention is to establish an NMU-wide (cross-school) AI centre at the NMU, which will function as a combination of research centre, innovation platform and service unit. Successful discussions have also taken place here. All of these projects and activities will extend over a period of five years.