By Peter Davou
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has lauded the commitment of the state’s College of Education, Gidan Waya (KSCOE) to scholarly research and innovation, describing as “critical” to driving sustainable development.
Sani gave the commendation in Gidan Waya on Tuesday, at a three-day International Conference with the themed, “Artificial Intelligence in Reshaping Empirical Research, Ethics, Implementation and Commercialization”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden conference was organised by the college School of Secondary Education, Science Programmes.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, the governor described access to technology and digital skills as “central” to his administration’s education agenda.
Describing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool for education, Sani commended the flagship initiatives of the college: the ‘AI for All’ programme and the ‘DigiTruck Mobile Classroom’.
He explained that the AI for All programme, the first of its kind in Africa, seeks to democratise Artificial Intelligence knowledge by delivering content in Hausa.
Sani added that the DigiTruck Mobile Classroom, on the other hand, delivers digital literacy training directly to learners across the three senatorial zones of the state.
“These initiatives are commendable and will eventually place the college as a centre of education research in the state and by extension, the northern region,” he said.
The governor also congratulated the college for securing the dual mandate status, which empowers it to run Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes concurrently without affiliation with any university.
“This milestone is a testament to the institution’s academic credibility and its growing contribution to teacher education in Nigeria,” Sani said.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to repositioning teachers as community leaders and problem-solvers, through targeted training, research support, and technology integration.
On his part, the provost of the college, Dr Ayuba Ambi, thanked the state government for the timely release of overhead subventions, which enabled the college to maintain operations, strengthen security, and renovate key infrastructure.
Ambi urged participants to leverage the conference as a platform for proposing practical solutions to pressing societal problems.
Mr Peter Dogara, Chairman, Jema’a Local Government Council, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting education and research.
Dogara urged the scholars to come up with practical strategies that would advance education practice and policy in the country.
Earlier, Mr Linus Pitto, Dean, School of Secondary Education, Science Programmes, said that the participants cut across academics, researchers and education stakeholders from institutions across Nigeria and beyond.
NAN reports that outstanding members of staff of the School of Secondary Education, Science Programmes received were awarded during the conference as a motivation to thrive for excellence. (NAN)
Edited by Philip Yatai