Makerere University Explores Tech-Driven Education at TELLS Conference

Makerere University recently hosted the third Transformative Education and Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Growth (TELLS) conference, spotlighting the critical role of technology in shaping the future of education. Held on August 7-8, 2024, at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the conference gathered educators and experts to discuss strategies for creating “Future Ready Classrooms: Technologies and Strategies for Student Success in the 21st Century.”

The TELLS conference, a collaboration between Makerere University in Uganda, the University of Rwanda, Jimma University in Ethiopia, and the University of Agder in Norway, is part of the NORHED II Program funded by NORAD. The event emphasized the need to integrate innovative technologies in education to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), represented Makerere University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Prof. Musinguzi underscored Makerere’s commitment to innovation, lifelong learning, and internationalization. He highlighted the university’s focus on preparing students for life, work, and citizenship, ensuring they are equipped to contribute to economic and social development, adapt to change, and provide leadership.

“The University’s educational philosophy is rooted in principles of innovation, learner-centeredness, and lifelong learning,” Prof. Musinguzi stated. He also praised the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) for its role in promoting continuing education both nationally and internationally.

The conference featured prominent speakers, including Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), who addressed the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in education. “We are in an era of AI, and it is imperative that we carefully consider its impact on academic integrity and the future of education,” Prof. Mugagga noted.

Prof. Florien Nsanganwimana, Principal of the College of Education at the University of Rwanda, called for a paradigm shift in educational practices, advocating for the integration of transformative technologies in teaching and learning. He emphasized the need to equip learners with the competencies required to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.

The conference also included a keynote address by John Domingue of The Open University in the United Kingdom, who spoke on “Generative AI and the Future of Education.” He highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionize education and urged educators to prepare students for a future where AI plays a central role.

The TELLS Project coordinators, Associate Professors Paul Birevu Muyinda from Makerere University and Ghislain Maurice N. Isabwe from the University of Agder, discussed the project’s achievements, including workshops, policy reviews, and collaborative research efforts. They also addressed challenges such as the digital divide, budget constraints, and security concerns across partner universities.

As the conference concluded, participants were reminded of the transformative power of education and the necessity for continuous innovation in teaching and learning. The TELLS conference has set the stage for future collaborations aimed at harnessing technology to enhance education and lifelong learning in Africa and beyond.