Its time for varsities to take up AI, don says

Institutions of higher learning have been urged to adopt artificial intelligence to help weed out cheats and curb plagiarism.

Mount Kenya University Founder and Chairman Simon Gicharu said artificial intelligence is emerging as a formidable force.

“The next frontier is going to require the input of artificial intelligence as a key resource for development. We will not be left behind in the adoption of AI as an institution,” said Prof Gicharu who spoke when the university unveiled the University Integrated Resource Planning (UnIRP).

“Globally, every institution is talking about AI… moving forward, we want to see how to apply AI across different areas,” Prof Gicharu noted.

UnIRP, which is being rolled out at MKU in partnership with Marwadi Technologies of India, is expected to enable the institution to lead in riding the digital wave by giving students tools to take charge of your education, including a mobile app that enables them to track progress and engage lecturers.
It also enables lecturers to unlock new possibilities in research, collaboration and mentoring.

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The system, unveiled last Friday, will enable students to track applications while giving them real time personalized responses through automation of all processes from admission to graduation, reducing administrative burdens.

Dr Janet Nganga, a specialist in Artificial Intelligence, noted that the University of the future has to adapt fast to changes taking place today.

“We are talking about AI, big data, blockchain, virtual reality, augmented reality and the internet of things. These are no longer buzzwords, they are affecting our lives as we speak today," she said.

Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, Vice Chancellor MKU, said the system would potentially open  Artificial Intelligence  for the students and faculty members.

Moving forward all the students joining the university will have to undertake AI as a university common unit.

“This system will touch every corner of academic life. It is a custom-built digital environment, designed to enhance student experience, boost research, and enable agile learning. It is a system that listens, learns, and adapts to the needs of our customers, partners and industry,” said Jaganyi.

He noted that UnIRP would empower MKU’s academic ecosystem through simplifying processes for students from admission to access exam results and transcripts as well as course management, research collaboration and curriculum design for staff.
“We are building systems that learn from students, not just serve them. For instance, the system’s analytics can recommend units based on a student’s academic history creating a personalized learning journey.”

The rollout of UnIRP comes at a time when the university has enhanced adoption of ICT and digital technologies.

Dr Mercyline Kamande DVC- Academic and Research Affairs said the new system was reaffirming MKU’s commitment to digitising its academic administration and redefining pedagogy at MKU.