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Lecturer and researcher in artificial intelligence and optimization

Vinasétan Ratheil Esse Houndji

Associate professor (CAMES)
Head of the software engineering department and coordinator of bachelor's and master's programs / IFRI-UAC
General co-chair of BWAI and president of the FRIARE Foundation (2023–2026)

About

I am an artificial intelligence researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Training and Research in Computer Science of the University of Abomey-Calavi. For more than ten years, I have worked on fundamental and applied research in artificial intelligence, optimization, and intelligent systems.

My research focuses on machine learning, constraint programming, and combinatorial optimization, with applications in health, agriculture, and education.

Beyond research, I am committed to teaching, mentoring young researchers, and building lasting scientific collaborations. I also contribute to initiatives advancing artificial intelligence in Africa, including the Benin Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and FRIARE.

Education

  1. International training in digital university pedagogy
    Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium · Top-ranked participant and Chair of the South awardee

  2. Master class for teaching online
    Arizona State University, United States · Online

  3. PhD in engineering sciences
    Computer science — artificial intelligence and operations research · UCLouvain and University of Abomey-Calavi

  4. Research training in engineering sciences
    Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium

  5. Master's degree in computer science
    Louvain School of Engineering, UCLouvain · Distinction

  6. Advanced courses in computer science and research
    Computer Science Training and Research Center, University of Abomey-Calavi

  7. Engineering degree in computer science and telecommunications
    École polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi · computer networks and internet specialization · top of the class.

  8. Scientific baccalaureate, series C
    Collège La Flèche, Cotonou

Research interests

View research
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Constraint programming and combinatorial optimization
  • Responsible and efficient artificial intelligence
  • Applications in agriculture, health, and education
  • Augmented and virtual reality

News and activities

  1. BWAI 2026 — preparing the next edition
    As general co-chair, preparation of the next Benin Workshop on Artificial Intelligence, taking place from 23 to 27 November 2026. The event brings together researchers, students, professionals, and public-sector stakeholders around AI research, education, and applications in Benin.BWAI website

  2. CARI 2026 — coming soon
    The 18th African Conference on Research in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics will take place from 21 to 24 October at the University of Abomey-Calavi. This pan-African scientific forum is devoted to research advances and their applications.CARI 2026 website

  3. Coordination of the OpenCS4Dev and ForCES projects
    Southern coordination of two ARES-supported projects. OpenCS4Dev develops and shares open educational resources for computer science teaching. ForCES, conducted with ULB and Cheikh Anta Diop University from September 2026 to August 2028, will co-design a continuing professional development infrastructure for digital university pedagogy in Benin and Senegal.ForCES project — ARES

  4. Neuro-symbolic artificial intelligence: concepts and applications
    Talk delivered in August at the Benin Excellence Summer School on Artificial Intelligence. An introduction to the complementary strengths of neural learning and symbolic reasoning, the main neuro-symbolic architectures, and their applications in health, agriculture, education, cybersecurity, and optimization.View slides (PDF)

  5. Responsible governance of artificial intelligence in African higher education
    Talk delivered in July at the “AI, Education and Ethics” symposium of the Permanent Commission on Education and Ethics of Benin’s National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. It proposes governance principles, institutional mechanisms, and an operational cycle covering risk levels, data sovereignty, academic integrity, auditing, and avenues for appeal.View slides (PDF)

  6. AI in support of my academic journey: opportunities and pitfalls to avoid
    Workshop delivered in July during the launch of the University of Abomey-Calavi’s artificial intelligence strategy. Designed for students, it covers responsible academic use of generative AI, prompt design, bias, hallucinations, confidentiality, disclosure of AI use, and the rights and obligations established by UAC’s ethical framework.View slides (PDF)

  7. Expertise and international teaching
    Contribution to the national digital education strategy. In May, delivery of FIPUN training for lecturers and researchers from nine countries, followed by a visiting professorship at UCLouvain’s ICTEAM institute for teaching and scientific exchanges in artificial intelligence and optimization.FIPUN — ARES · ICTEAM — UCLouvain

  8. 20th ACP Summer School — first African edition
    General chair and co-organizer with John Aoga of the school held at IFRI from 25 to 29 August. Focused on constraint programming for sustainable development, it welcomed 50 participants, 86% of whom were African, and awarded 14 full and 30 partial scholarships.School program · ACP report