The University of Lagos Alumni Association has called for the inclusion of artificial intelligence in the tertiary institutions’ curriculum.
The association stated this on Thursday at the 10th Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe Memorial Anniversary Lecture, according to The PUNCH.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, in his lecture, titled, ‘Future universities and future-ready graduate: Transition from rhetorics to realities,’ said emerging technologies like artificial intelligence would prepare students for the challenges of the future through innovative and interdisciplinary education.
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.”
The Chairman, UNILAG Alumni Association, Lagos branch, 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.