Top Nigerian Varsity Alumni Advocate AI Inclusion in Curriculum

Cursory: UNILAG Alumni Association has advocated for the inclusion of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in the curriculum of tertiary institutions, during the 10th Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture. The guest lecturer emphasized that incorporating innovative and interdisciplinary education, including artificial intelligence, would equip students with the necessary skills for future challenges. The Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University and Vice Chancellor of UNILAG highlighted the importance of future universities breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries and stressed the need for curriculum alignment with future-ready characteristics and collaboration with the industry.

During the 10th Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture, the Lagos State branch of the University of Lagos Alumni Association emphasized the need for incorporating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, into the curriculum of tertiary institutions.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, delivered a speech titled ‘Future universities and future-ready graduate: Transition from rhetoric to realities,’ where he highlighted the significance of integrating technologies like artificial intelligence in education to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for future challenges. This approach encourages innovative and interdisciplinary education methods.

Ezemonye, who is the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Edo State, said:

“Future-ready universities must provide curriculum design that prepares students for the challenges of the future. They must break down traditional disciplinary boundaries and integrate knowledge and skills from different fields to solve complex problems. Future universities will be places where universities and industry are co-located and collaborate on projects that solve real-world problems.”

Also speaking, UNILAG’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunshola, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, said:

“We must work hard at ensuring our curriculum reflects characteristics of a future-ready university. We must collaborate with the industry. The government must embrace technology towards digital penetration for access, affordability, infrastructural access, and the government must work hard at addressing poverty. This should not be lip service because we have never hit the mark. Nigeria must be honest at achieving all these.”

Chairman, UNILAG Alumni Association, Lagos branch, Mr Owoeye Adedeji, stated that the lecture was to celebrate the life and times of Sofoluwe, who was an accomplished computer scientist.The late Sofoluwe was a one-time Vice Chancellor of UNILAG. He died on May 12, 2012.

Source: PUNCH

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