admin
- Posted on
The Archbishop Kiwanuka Memorial Library (ABK Library) of Uganda Martyrs University was proud to participate in the 15th Higher Education Exhibition (2nd Regional Edition), held from March 27–29, 2024, at the Kamukuzi Mbarara City Headquarters Grounds.
The event, themed “Strategies, Challenges, and Practices for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Higher Education in Uganda,” brought together universities, policymakers, and innovators to explore the future of AI in academia.
Our delegation – comprising the Faculty of Built Environment, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, Department of ICT, Registry, and the Library – presented cutting-edge AI-driven solutions transforming education. The library’s exhibition focused on strategic approaches to AI integration, challenging traditional academic perspectives and proposing forward-thinking solutions.
AI Tools Showcased:
The library introduced attendees to powerful Large Language Model (LLM)-based tools for research and learning, including:
- Academic Search + AI: Elicit, Semantic Scholar, Consensus, Scite Assistant, SciSpace, Statista, Scopus AI, Primo Research Assistant
- General Web Search + AI: Copilot, Perplexity, You.com, Phind, Komo
Key Highlights from the Library’s Presentation:
- From “Ban It” to “Understand It”
- Advocated moving beyond blocking AI tools and instead embracing technological evolution in learning.
- “AI Catch-Me-If-You-Can”
- Highlighted the limitations of AI detection tools, noting that some students already outsmart them.
- “What Academics Call Cheating, Business Calls Innovation”
- Encouraged aligning academic practices with real-world technological expectations.
- “Assignments That Challenge, Not Just Check”
- Promoted designing complex, meaningful tasks that foster higher-order thinking and real-world problem-solving.
- “Integrity by Conversation, Not Confrontation”
- Suggested low-effort, high-impact interventions, such as open discussions on academic honesty and supportive frameworks for ethical AI use.
- “Teaching Beyond the Rulebook”
- Called for pedagogical reimagining, including low-stakes assessments, digital literacy programs, and flexible learning environments.
Faculty of Science’s AI Innovations
The Faculty of Science impressed visitors with three groundbreaking projects:
IoT-Based Poultry Monitoring System: A smart system that tracks temperature, humidity, and bird activity in real time, helping farmers optimize poultry health and productivity.
Student Recruitment Prediction Model: An AI-powered tool that analyzes historical enrollment data to forecast future trends, aiding the university in strategic recruitment and resource planning.
Primary School Large Language Model (Tutor Support): An AI-based tutoring assistant designed for young learners, offering personalized explanations and interactive learning support to enhance comprehension.
