The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Clement Odunayo Adebooye, has reaffirmed the university’s dedication to leveraging technology—particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to enhance teaching and learning for sustainable development and global competitiveness.
Speaking through his representative, Professor Amos Popoola, at the 2025 Conference on Education held at the university’s College of Education, Professor Adebooye described the institution’s technological drive as purposeful and transformative. “At UNIOSUN, we are not adopting technology just for the sake of it. We see it as a strategic tool for human development and global relevance,” he said.
Themed “AI-Driven Education for Sustainable Development: New Frontiers and Perspectives”, the conference convened academics, government officials, traditional leaders, and international scholars to explore how AI can reshape the future of education.
In her opening remarks, Professor Florence Adeoti Yusuf, Provost of the College of Education, emphasized the critical role of AI in promoting inclusive and equitable education. She urged participants to reflect on the ethical dimensions of AI in education, asking, “How do we ensure AI bridges educational gaps rather than widens them?” She also called for strong policy frameworks, investment in digital infrastructure, and ongoing research to evaluate AI’s long-term effects on education.
Professor Yusuf expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for his continued support, particularly in providing solar-powered electricity and upgrading student facilities. She also acknowledged individuals who have donated scholarships and appealed for further contributions towards building a 1,000-seat lecture theatre and an administrative complex.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, highlighted the transformative potential of AI through tools like personalized learning, adaptive testing, intelligent tutoring, and virtual classrooms. He stressed the importance of collaboration between educators, tech experts, and policymakers to ensure that AI remains ethical, inclusive, and student-centered.
Representing the Commissioner for Cooperative Development, Hon. Bayo Ogungbangbe, Hon. Olayemi Olawale Basir commended UNIOSUN for its visionary leadership and pledged the state government’s support for forward-thinking educational reforms.
The Alua of Erin-Oke, Oba Akintola Imran Ayodeji, who served as the royal father of the day, praised the university’s innovation and promised to rally philanthropists and community stakeholders to support UNIOSUN’s infrastructural development. He also presented a cash donation to the College’s drama troupe in recognition of their powerful performance, which creatively blended traditional knowledge with modern AI concepts.
The event also featured scholarly presentations from international experts, including Dr. Shaher Bano (UAE), Dr. Bishnu Pada Bose (India), and Dr. Airil Haimi Mohd Adnan (USA), who shared global perspectives on how AI is reshaping education systems worldwide.
One of the standout moments of the conference was a student playlet that portrayed the fusion of indigenous knowledge systems with AI to tackle modern challenges—demonstrating the power of innovation rooted in culture.
Overall, the conference solidified UNIOSUN’s position at the forefront of educational innovation and served as a powerful call to action for stakeholders to harness AI as a tool for building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.
