Embrace AI or become obsolete – Quality Assurance Expert to Africa’s tertiary schools

The Director of the Global Quality Assurance Association (GQAA), Dr Violet Makuku, has called on tertiary institutions in Africa to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) or risk falling behind in global education standards. 

Speaking at a three-day symposium last Thursday on Quality Assurance in Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Makuku stressed that AI is no longer a future concept but a present reality. 

“We are already in the future. Tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly and Google Forms have transformed the way we work, enhancing productivity and efficiency. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes,” she said.

The symposium, organised on behalf of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Nigeria, took place at the Miklin Hotel in Accra. It brought together key stakeholders, including the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof Kabiru Bala, along with selected teaching and non-teaching staff from the institution.

The staff were trained on aspects of quality assurance, total quality management, leadership and management, blended teaching and learning and, research and innovation within the educational sector.
Adapt or become obsolete

Continuing, Dr Makuku noted that institutions unwilling to embrace AI-driven changes risk becoming irrelevant in the evolving education landscape.

“People need to shape up or ship out. If you resist change, you will become obsolete. The world is moving fast and Africa must move with it,” she cautioned.

She noted the transformative potential of AI in higher education, stating that it could enhance teaching, research and institutional management.

“AI can help analyse data, automate administrative work and assist in personalised learning for students. It’s a tool, not a threat,” she explained.

Call for policy and investment

Dr Makuku also called for policies and investment that integrate AI into learning and governance. “Institutional leaders should work together at the national level to advocate for policies that support AI adoption in universities.

If we want Africa’s education system to compete globally, we must embrace technology,” she stated.

She also emphasised the need for financial and infrastructural investment to support AI integration, improve school facilities, enable research, data collection and practical learning tools in schools.

Adding his voice, Prof Bala called for more collaborations, exchange programs between African tertiary institutions just as ABU does with the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

He noted the importance of institutions investing in training workshops such as these for their staff and students.

Global Quality Assurance Association

Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Brands and Marketing Manager, Tavonga Turikai Munodawafa noted that, this was one many symposiums and forums the QGAA hosts. 

“As a non-profit and consultancy organisation founded in January 2023, we not only work to improve quality standards in industries like manufacturing, retail, services and education but embark on outreach programs for schools as well,” he added.