AFUED organizes capacity-building workshop for academic staff on student relationships and AI-driven skills development
The workshop, held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, took place at the Obongawan Lecture Theatre of the university between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The event brought together academic staff from different faculties to discuss strategies for improving lecturer–student relationships and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance skills acquisition and socio-economic development.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Bayode Popoola, was represented by Ireti Alao, who formally declared the workshop open. In her opening remarks, she commended the Directorate of Counseling and Human Development Centre for organizing a timely programme that addresses both the interpersonal and technological dimensions of modern university education. She encouraged academic staff to continuously develop themselves in order to meet the evolving needs of students and society.
Earlier, the Director of the Directorate, Martins Femi Dada, explained that the workshop was organized to support academic staff in building healthy academic relationships with students while also equipping them with knowledge on how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can enhance teaching, learning, and skills development.
The first session of the workshop featured a presentation by Catherine Olubukunola Olotu, who spoke on the topic “Academic Relationships with University Students.” In her lecture, Mrs. Olotu emphasized the importance of maintaining professional, respectful, and supportive relationships between lecturers and students. She noted that positive academic relationships contribute significantly to students’ academic success, emotional well-being, and overall learning experience.
She advised lecturers to maintain professional boundaries while being approachable and empathetic to students’ academic challenges. According to her, effective communication, fairness, and mentorship are essential elements in fostering a healthy learning environment within the university system.
The second part of the workshop was delivered by Kehinde Adenegan, the Rector of Adeyemi college of Technology Ondo, who spoke on the theme “Bridging Skills Acquisition through Artificial Intelligence for Educational and Socio-Economic Transformation.”
In his presentation, Dr. Adenegan highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence across various sectors of the global economy, noting that the education sector must adapt quickly to these changes. He stressed that integrating AI-driven tools into teaching and learning can enhance students’ ability to acquire practical and market-relevant skills.
According to him, artificial intelligence offers opportunities for personalized learning, improved research capabilities, data-driven decision-making, and innovative teaching methods. He urged academic staff to embrace these technologies responsibly and creatively to better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.
Dr. Adenegan further emphasized that bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills is essential for national development, adding that universities play a critical role in preparing graduates who can contribute meaningfully to educational advancement and socio-economic transformation.
Participants at the workshop described the event as insightful and impactful, noting that the sessions provided valuable knowledge on both human relations in academia and the future of technology-driven education.
The workshop forms part of the continuous efforts of the Directorate of Counseling and Human Development Centre of Adeyemi Federal University of Education to enhance the professional effectiveness of academic staff and promote a supportive academic environment within the institution.
Comments
Post a Comment