March 24, 2025 – The Ankole Western University (AWU) delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Dr. Andrew Ainomugisha, proudly joined other universities from across the country at the 6th Annual National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Higher Education Conference. The event, currently taking place at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara City, is graced by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, as the Chief Guest.
This year’s conference is centered around the theme:
Challenges, Best Practices, and Strategies for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Higher Education in Uganda.
Discussions at the conference are focused on policy guidelines for the effective adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. Key topics include bridging the digital divide, addressing gaps in teacher capacities, and ensuring inclusive access to AI-powered learning tools. The Minister of Education and Sports emphasized that AI should not be pursued as an end in itself but as a tool for meaningful technological transformation. She urged higher education institutions to remain grounded in the original goals of education, ensuring that curriculum and program development are intentional and strategic.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the importance of retooling human resources to effectively guide the younger generation. She cautioned against an over-reliance on digital tools, stressing the need to maintain human interaction and prevent excessive detachment from social engagement. A key takeaway from today’s discussions is that AI should be implemented in alignment with local social and cultural norms, ensuring its relevance to the communities served by higher education institutions.
Ankole Western University is actively working toward integrating AI into its academic curricula, enhancing teacher training, and improving student orientation. Participation in this conference will enable AWU to establish critical guidelines on data protection, ethical considerations, data quality, privacy, and equitable access to AI-driven resources.
AWU’s delegation also included Mr. Robert Muhanguzi, the Academic Registrar; Mr. Turibarungi Gerald, the Quality Assurance Officer; and Mr. Osmus Owomujuni, the Guild President.
Light of the World.