The Koforidua Technical University (KTU) is considering plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) – a computer science program that will seek to equip Students to invent smart machines to help solve problems in the country.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that ordinarily require human intelligence. In most advanced countries, AI applications are being used to improve productivity and economic efficiency.
The current invaluable benefits of artificial intelligence in all aspect of the World’s economy including healthcare is predicted to grow as the technology advances.
According to a September 2018 report by the McKinsey Global Institute on the impact of AI on the world economy, artificial intelligence, has the potential to incrementally add 16 percent or around $13 trillion by 2030 to current global economic output- an annual average contribution to productivity growth of about 1.2 percent between now and 2030,
The Vice-Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, Prof. David Kofi Essumang, believes AI applications are therefore inevitable technological evolution in the modern world hence the intended pursuit of the institution to equip students with the knowledge needed to excel in that field.
“Artificial intelligence, that alone once properly harnessed can solve most of the problems. IT and AI, alone if we are able to equip students they wouldn’t need anybody’s employment. They will just be on their own, sit at a corner and begin to produce something he can write a program for”
He said this in an interview with the media at the sidelines of a matriculation ceremony held by the University for 3,390 students for the 2019 /2020 academic year to pursue various engineering, Technical, vocational and Business programs in both Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology.
Prof. Essumang bemoaned the disconnect between academia and Industries with a call for better collaboration to help solve societal problems through applied research.
Mrs. Adjoa Van Vicker, Director Human Resources Management and Development at the Ministry of Education, also a member of the KTU Council said Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET )education is very crucial to solving the high unemployment rate in the country.
“Ghana’s Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations suggests that less than 10% of graduates gain employment in the first year of completing school while it may take up to 10 years for a batch of University graduates to be absorbed into the World of Work…key among the reasons for this is the lack of employable skills of most graduates as the country’s education system is more theoretical than practical and not oriented to the World of Works or need industry ”
She said Government is keenly looking up to the Technical Universities to provide a clear path to higher TVET as a sure pathway to economic progress.”As such, you and other technical institutions would be able to assist in providing technical support as well as human resources for the Ambitious One District One Factory(1D1F) Initiative”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah