Universities must integrate AI across curricula — Prof. Odai
Universities in Ghana must continue to embrace digital learning, invest in research, and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across curricula to ensure that future graduates are not only consumers but creators of technology, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Accra Technical University, Prof. Samuel Nii Odai, has said.
AI, he said, was transforming the world at a pace unmatched in human history and that “we now live in a reality where machines learn, computers reason, and systems adapt”.
“For instance, AI influences agriculture through predictive analytics.
It influences governance through data-driven policy. It influences everyday life as digital assistants, automation tools, and medical diagnostic systems,” Prof. Odai said last weekend at the 11th Congregation of the West End University College (WEUC) in Accra.
In all, a total of 601 students graduated compared to the 333 that graduated last year.
They consisted of 467 Ghanaians and 134 international students from across Africa and beyond.
At the ceremony, 46 had first class; 378 second class upper; 170, second class lower; six, third class and one, pass.
Engine
Prof. Odai said education was the most powerful engine of societal transformation, and in the AI era, its importance multiplied.
The graduands
He said no longer was it enough to memorise theories or repeat definitions and that the world now rewarded those who could think critically, solve complex problems, collaborate across disciplines, understand global trends and use technology ethically and creatively.
“AI will not replace educated human beings—but it will replace those who refuse to adapt. Your future competitiveness depends not on what you know today, but on how quickly you can learn tomorrow,” he said.
Prof. Odai said the IT sector would be the heart of Ghana’s digital economy and that it would require brilliant minds to build scalable apps, secure systems, data-driven platforms, and innovative digital products.
He said it was clear that the country needed entrepreneurs who could harness AI to support local businesses, improve logistics, strengthen financial reporting, and expand access to global markets.
Tools
“If education gives us the tools, entrepreneurship shows us what to build with those tools. Entrepreneurial ingenuity is the engine of development. It turns ideas into industries, problems into opportunities, and challenges into innovation.
“Our continent is abundant with challenges from youth unemployment to inadequate health care, from food insecurity to infrastructural gaps. But these challenges are also our greatest opportunities.
“Across the world, the greatest entrepreneurs have been people who have shaped history, confronted real problems and offered bold solutions,” he said.
Ghana today, he said, did not need only degree holders but problem-solvers.
Quality
For his part, the Rector of the WEUC, Prof. Ben Oduro, said that over the years, the school had endeavoured to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning to support students to face the challenges and opportunities brought about by technology and globalisation.
"We also provide them with outstanding learning experiences that will equip them with skills, attributes, confidence and resilience that will help them to succeed," he said.
The institution, he said, kept on exploring new educational models based on future developments and demand.
Moreover, Prof. Oduro said WEUC was also exploring numerous partnership options for growth, adding that the institution would continue developing new programmes for its faculties.
Prof. Oduro said WEUC continued to grow and that during the academic year, its enrolment had significantly increased to 1,500.
