UNIVERSITY OF DELTA,AGBOR , FACULTY OF EDUCATION HOLDS 2ND INTERNATIONAL HYBRID CONFERENCE
By Gilbert Olie
UNIVERSITY OF DELTA,AGBOR , FACULTY OF EDUCATION CELEBRATES 2ND INTERNATIONAL HYBRID CONFERENCE
The Faculty of Education, University of Delta, Agbor, has held its 2nd International Hybrid Conference, bringing together academics, educationists, researchers and other stakeholders to examine emerging issues in education and sustainable development.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. Eric Eboh, calles for responsible, inclusive and sustainable application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in education and other sectors of society.
Eboh made the call on Monday, September 28, 2026, while delivering his welcome address at the 2nd International Hybrid Conference organised by the university’s Faculty of Education at the 1,000-capacity hall of the institution.
The conference was held with the theme: “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Sustainable Futures: Multidisciplinary Perspectives.”
According to the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented at the occasion by Dr.Florence Omume said,AI and digital technologies are rapidly transforming the way people learn, teach, work, communicate, conduct research and address societal challenges.
He noted that Artificial Intelligence was no longer a distant technological possibility, stressing that it was already affecting education, healthcare, agriculture, business, governance, industry and other aspects of modern life.
Eboh said the major challenge was therefore not whether AI would transform society, but how its enormous potential could be harnessed “responsibly, inclusively and sustainably.”
He said the implications of AI for education were profound, as the technology was changing classrooms, teaching methods, assessment, research and access to knowledge.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, identified academic integrity, data privacy, digital inequality, ethical use of technology and changing skills requirements as some of the challenges that must be addressed as institutions embrace emerging technologies.
He stressed the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in tackling the challenges associated with AI and digital transformation.
According to him, educationists, computer scientists, social scientists, economists, policymakers, legal scholars, environmental experts and professionals from other fields must work together to develop practical responses to the rapidly changing technological environment.
Eboh said the University of Delta was committed to becoming an innovative, technology-driven, research-oriented and society-responsive institution, noting that the university's RAISE strategy places emphasis on research and training, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship, student development and engagement, and excellence.
He added that the university's objective was to prepare students not only for existing employment opportunities but also for future challenges, equipping them to become critical thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers and responsible leaders.
The Vice-Chancellor further noted that AI and digital transformation could provide significant opportunities for Nigeria and Africa if properly harnessed, including expanding access to quality education, strengthening research, promoting innovation, improving public services, creating employment and supporting sustainable development.
He cautioned, however, that technological advancement should not deepen existing inequalities, insisting that the continent's digital future must be inclusive, ethical, human-centred and sustainable.
Eboh challenged participants at the conference to move beyond theoretical discussions and examine practical ways through which AI could improve teaching and learning, expand educational access, empower young people and contribute to sustainable development.
He commended the Faculty of Education for organising the conference, describing it as an important platform for scholars to exchange ideas, build partnerships and generate knowledge capable of influencing policy and practice.
The Vice-Chancellor also encouraged keynote speakers, paper presenters, discussants and participants from Nigeria and beyond to use the conference to establish research collaborations and lasting academic networks.
He said educators and scholars had a responsibility to ensure that humanity remained at the centre of technological transformation.
The Dean Faculty of Education,Dr.Isabella Okokoyo, while delivering the welcome address at the conference said the rapid advancement of technology was creating new opportunities as well as challenges for the education sector.
The conference brought together scholars, researchers, educational administrators, policymakers, teachers, technology experts, students and other stakeholders from different institutions and locations.
According to the Dean, technologies such as generative AI, intelligent tutoring systems, learning analytics and automated assessment were increasingly changing the way teaching, learning, research, administration and decision-making were conducted.
She, however, stressed that technological advancement must be accompanied by adequate preparation, infrastructure, policies and human capacity.
She raised questions about the readiness of teachers and educational institutions to embrace emerging technologies, particularly in areas of academic integrity, data privacy, equity and the preservation of human values in education.
The Dean noted that Artificial Intelligence was no longer solely a technological concern, stressing that its impact cut across education, economics, sociology, agriculture, health, engineering, law, environmental studies and other fields.
She therefore emphasized the need for multidisciplinary collaboration among educators, researchers, policymakers, technology experts, administrators, industry players and communities to effectively address the opportunities and challenges associated with AI and digital transformation.
She said the development of teachers must remain a priority, noting that teacher education should equip educators with digital competence, pedagogical skills and ethical awareness needed to use emerging technologies effectively.
The Dean also stressed the importance of effective leadership in driving digital transformation in educational institutions.
According to her, successful digital transformation goes beyond the provision of computers and internet connectivity, requiring strategic planning, appropriate policies, professional development, adequate infrastructure, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement and continuous evaluation.
On sustainable development, She said digital transformation should promote educational systems that are inclusive, resilient, innovative, equitable and sustainable, rather than widening the gap between well-resourced and poorly resourced schools.
She urged stakeholders to explore ways of using technology to expand educational opportunities, improve teaching and learning, strengthen evidence-based administration and contribute to sustainable development.
The Dean described the conference as an opportunity for participants to move beyond theoretical discussions and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting educational institutions.
She encouraged participants to share research findings and experiences, establish collaborations, challenge existing assumptions and develop innovative ideas capable of influencing educational policies and practices.
She commended the University Management for its support for academic scholarship and institutional development, while also appreciating the Faculty of Education, Conference Planning Committee, keynote speaker, invited speakers, paper presenters, reviewers, sponsors, partners and technical team for their contributions to the conference.
She urged participants to approach Artificial Intelligence with openness, critical thinking, evidence and responsibility, while recognizing both its possibilities and ethical limitations.
The Dean stressed that while technology remained an important tool for educational advancement, the ultimate purpose of education was still the development of human potential and the advancement of society.
She expressed optimism that the conference would generate new knowledge, strengthen partnerships and produce practical pathways for harnessing AI and digital transformation to improve education and build sustainable futures.
The Chairman on the occasion Chief Ben Okonta says artificial intelligence is when we teach computers to think and learn like humans, saying that instead of just following a strict set of rules,AI can look at data, recognise patterns, and make decisions on its own.
He said a regular customer programme is like a calculator, emphasising that it only does exactly what you tell it to do.
He said digital transformation is when a business or organisation stops using old -fashioned,manual methods and start using modern technology like computers or phones to do things better, faster, and smarter.
Chief Okonta commended the school for organising the programme adding that it will go along way to improve the knowledge of the participants.
Keynote address were done by Professor Chidiebere Ugwu, Department of Computer Science, University of Port Harcourt and Professor Kingsley Chiwuike Ukaoha,Dean of College Science and Computing,Wigwe University,Etche, River State.
