Professor Jerry Yonga Centre (JY-CRAISD)

Why the Centre exists

To teach artificial intelligence, conduct useful research, and apply both to real development challenges in Cameroon and across Africa.

Mission

To advance sustainable development and responsible artificial intelligence through education, applied research, capacity building, mentorship, innovation and partnerships that expand opportunity and strengthen communities in Cameroon and Africa.

Vision

To become a respected African centre where students, educators, researchers, institutions and communities learn together, conduct meaningful research, build technological capability, and apply artificial intelligence to real human and sustainable-development challenges.

Six founding pillars

Every program the Centre runs will serve at least one of these.

AI Education

Practical AI literacy, student learning, teacher development and responsible use.

Sustainable Development

Technology and research applied to real community and development challenges.

Research and Knowledge

Applied studies, working papers, seminars, publications and responsible data infrastructure.

Capacity Building

Training educators, professionals, youth, institutions and future leaders.

Partnerships

Connecting schools, universities, ministries, research organizations, the diaspora and international collaborators.

Service and Public Engagement

Seminars, public lectures, mentorship, media and community programs that make knowledge accessible.

What the Centre will do

Teach artificial intelligence to students and educators.
Work with secondary-school principals to bring practical AI education into schools.
Pilot a model of about two hours of AI learning per week for participating students.
Train Cameroonians in emerging technology, research methods and problem-solving.
Host seminars, workshops, public lectures and research activities.
Serve as a meeting place for students, professors, researchers and partners.
Build responsible research and data capability, with governance and cybersecurity in place first.
Share knowledge publicly and report measurable impact.

100,000

students reached with AI education

This is a long-term aspiration, not an enrollment target. It becomes possible when the Centre builds a repeatable program, trains teachers, partners with schools, and grows beyond one building.

Yaoundé · headquartersLimbeDouala

2 hoursof AI learning per week, the proposed school model

6seminars, the target for the first 180 days

180 daysfrom foundation to a first published impact brief

The first 180 days

Begin with the lake. Each stage must prove itself before the next one starts.

1
Days 1 to 30
Foundation
Legal structure, property review, founding roles, first budget, governance and registration.
2
Days 31 to 60
Physical start
If the review is satisfactory: lease and prepare the facility, signage, secure internet and teaching technology.
3
Days 61 to 90
First proof
First AI workshop, first group of school principals, a pilot program and evidence of results.
4
Days 91 to 120
Partnership building
Research and public seminars, formal partnerships, advisors, and funding materials.
5
Days 121 to 180
Institutionalize
First impact brief, a one-year program calendar, and the path toward 100,000 students.

How it began

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

The idea began during a conversation with a colleague: a centre in Cameroon for sustainable development, research, artificial intelligence, education and capacity building.

During that conversation the idea grew. It gained a name, a possible first home in Yaoundé, a plan for AI and sustainable development classes at the Centre and in secondary schools, and a dream of reaching students across Cameroon.

As the talk moved between big ambitions and practical first steps, Professor Yonga offered the principle that now guides the Centre: people do not create oceans, but we can create a lake. Start with something real, useful and ethical. Prove it. Then let it grow.

About the name

The founder's name comes first so the Centre keeps a permanent, traceable identity as programs and partners change. The research mission explains the work. JY-CRAISD is the short name for signs, papers and partnerships.

The name is meant to work as a responsibility: each generation that leads the Centre should leave it stronger, more credible and more useful than it found it.

Our commitments

A legacy institution needs more than enthusiasm. These rules protect the vision.

We register the Centre before presenting it as formally established.

We claim no ministry recognition without written proof.

Centre money stays separate from personal money, with open financial records.

A board guides decisions and holds documented authority.

Child-safeguarding and privacy policies come before any work with minors.

Research ethics, consent and cybersecurity come before any data collection.

The Centre is designed to continue beyond its founder.

Success is measured in people: students, teachers, researchers and communities.

Get involved

The Centre is looking for its first partners, in Cameroon and abroad.

International partnerships

We want to work with universities and NGOs in the United States and Canada to grow the Centre: joint courses, faculty and student exchanges, research projects, teacher training and shared funding proposals.

School principals

Bring two hours of AI learning a week to your students.

Universities and researchers

Co-host seminars and applied research on African problems.

Sponsors and partners

Fund the first facility, teaching technology and teacher training.

Diaspora and volunteers

Mentor students, teach a session, or advise the board.

Write to the founder:

jyonga [at] projectswithoutborders [dot] com

Use the contact form