Since the advance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the education sector, many students, lecturers, and other administrators have embraced it to complete tasks assigned on time. 

This has made them better performers at beating deadlines and producing accurate work.

L-R; Dr. Savannah Nuwagaba, Dr. Bernard Nsamba, Prof. Eli Katunguka and Ass.Prof.Edrisa Mugampoza.

However, Eli Katunguka, the vice chancellor of Kyambogo University, sees AI as a threat to students’ creativity. 

He noted that, whereas learners can do the assignments on time, the only challenge is that they are unable to defend their work in real practice.

Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor Prof.Eli Katunguka looks through a tele-scope ahead of the STEAM Festival.

Katunguka made remarks on Saturday, April 20, in a press conference held at Kyambogo University about preparation for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) festival.

He said once a student is given an assignment, they go to a generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) and do everything from there.

“In education, we must get to know how we moderate the use of artificial intelligence, and even the lecturers must also get to know how AI is being used; now computers can do a lot more for us than people,” he said.

Dr. Savannah Nuwagaba, Lecturer, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics in consultation with Dr. Bernard Nsamba, Lecturer Dept. of Physics.

The professor said computers can work for a short time, which means they have already replaced many people, hence losing their jobs.

Katunguka said that given the continuous learning and practice, those who keep themselves updated will remain on top and be able to retain their jobs.

Research has found that most of the graduates are not employed even after graduation. It was recorded that most of them are not practical and do not match the knowledge they showcase in their academic papers.

“Students pass highly because of the AI; when they go to the field, they fail to perform accordingly,” he said.

Recently, Katunguka also said most employers need soft skills from students aside from academic performance, which some do not have.

“When you talk to industrialists about why they complain that university graduates are not employable, they normally say that they don’t find students practically oriented, students do not manage time, are unable to communicate effectively, write letters, or do reports, and they are not respectful and hardly appreciate the business of the industries,” he said.

Accordingly, what students present on paper is not what they are.

Ireene Nayera, the human resources director of Hima Cement, revealed that most of the students who apply to the company have the desired skills but only the soft ones.

Ronald Ssembatya, a Researcher in Astro-physics under seismic group at Kyambogo University showing one of the tele-scopes to the VC Prof. Eli Katunguka after the presser.

She said a number of them lack behavioural competence, such as improved communication and personal interaction, while others cannot even write letters to defend themselves or make weekly or monthly reports.

Nayera said most of the producing companies need goal-oriented fresh graduates who are less supervised all the time. She asked the training institution not only to provide technical skills but also other basics.

About the festival

The Steam Festival is a platform where students, staff, and industry professionals converge to showcase cutting-edge innovations and technologies. It will run from April 24 to April 26.