By Odunayo Thomas and Kehinde Balogun
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) hosted the 3rd edition of the annual DLI international colloquium on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium.
The event brought together experts and stakeholders from Nigeria and around the world to discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. The colloquium, themed “The Massive and Ubiquitous Invasion of the Education Landscape by Artificial Intelligence: Whither Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning?” presented the opportunity to discuss the deployment and adaptation of AI delivery on open distance learning in institutions.
The colloquium was presided by Professor Kabiru Isyaku, the President of the Nigeria Academy of Education. Other stakeholders present at the venue included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose administration birthed the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); Professor Ramesh C. Shamar from Ambedkar University, Delhi, India, who highlighted the impact the addition of AI into Open Distance Learning (ODL) would make; Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola; and DLI Director, Risqat Dauda.
According to the organizers, the main objective of the colloquium was to analyze the influence of AI technologies on Open Distance Flexible Learning (ODFL) practices, such as content delivery, assessment and personalized training.
Other objectives included leveraging AI to expand ODFL’s reach and effectiveness in meeting the needs of learners, fostering collaboration between AI and ODFL communities to drive research and innovation, and addressing the ethical and privacy concerns arising from the invasion of AI into ODFL.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, in her remarks, described the theme of the colloquium as “…one which illustrates the paradigm shift” in higher education, which managers of higher tertiary institutions must recognize and embrace. She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to Open Distance Learning (ODL) and technological advancement.
The event also featured a pre-colloquium workshop on the “Importance of Data on Artificial Intelligence in Navigating Ethical and Regulatory Challenges” held earlier at Tayo Aderinokun Hall.
More Stories
Professor Adeniyi Launches Autobiography, Education Foundation
UNILAG Student Wins African Scrabble Championship
We Must Give to the Academics What is Due Them – UNILAG Pro-Chancellor