Pro-chancellors to vasity leaders: Set up AI, digital governance committees

…tasks FG and state governments on sustainable funding

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN) on Sunday called on the leadership of Nigerian universities to establish Artificial Intelligence (Al) and Digital Governance Committees to drive the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence.

COPSUN likewise urged the federal and state governments to do more to ensure the sustainability of university education in Nigeria.

In a communique issued at the end of the COPSUN 8th Biennial conference held in Kano State, the committee should, among others, promote the effective deployment of Al and digital governance in university administration.

The communique, signed by Ayodeji Omole, professor and Chairman, was made available to newsmen in Ibadan. tasked universities to develop digital integrity strategies for finance, academic processes, and data protection.

According to COPSUN, universities should constitute a committee to promote the effective deployment of AI and digital governance in university administration.

“Universities should collaborate with anti-graft and intelligence agencies for joint training on server security and intelligence-sharing in the management of university affairs. Regulatory agencies should formulate policies limiting the number of universities a state may establish.”

While tasking State Governors to increase funding for state-owned universities, COPSUN advised Universities to seek endowments not only from alumni but also from capable stakeholders within society.

“Transparency and accountability should remain guiding principles in university financial management. University administrations should strengthen research and development initiatives under the guidance and supervision of their Governing Councils.

It further stated that Universities should establish Intellectual Property and Patent Offices (IPPOs) with responsibility for transforming research outputs into viable innovations.

The conference resolved to engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on the prospects and limitations of state universities in Nigeria, stressing that governments at all levels should do more to ensure sustainable university education in Nigeria.

Also, the conference reiterated the need for stronger synergy between universities and industry in order to translate research funding into practical innovations for economic development.

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) then reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance structures in state universities and ensuring that Nigerian state-owned universities remain globally competitive