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Leon Ntabomvura, Training Lead at CODeL, delivers a presentation on Turnitin, demonstrating how the platform can help lecturers promote academic integrity, assess originality, and navigate the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in higher education.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform higher education, universities are increasingly challenged to balance innovation with academic integrity. While AI-powered tools are creating new opportunities for teaching, learning, and assessment, they are also raising important questions about originality, authorship, and the responsible use of technology in academic work.

To help address these challenges, the University of Rwanda (UR), through its Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning (CODeL) and in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR, organized a five-day workshop to strengthen academic staff capacity in the operationalisation of ODeL Centres and the ethical and responsible use of AI in higher education.

The workshop brought together representatives from all seven UR colleges, providing a platform for lecturers to exchange experiences and explore practical approaches to digital teaching, assessment, and academic integrity in an increasingly technology-driven learning environment.

One of the key highlights of the training was a hands-on session on Turnitin, a digital academic integrity platform used by educational institutions worldwide to check the originality of student work, identify similarities with existing sources, and detect AI-generated writing. Participants learned how to interpret similarity reports and use AI-writing detection tools to support fair and transparent assessment practices while distinguishing between legitimate AI-assisted learning and inappropriate AI-generated submissions.

According to Leon Ntabomvura, Training Lead at CODeL, the goal was not to discourage the use of AI, but to help educators understand how it can be used responsibly while safeguarding academic standards.

“Turnitin has evolved beyond plagiarism detection,” he explained. “It is now a comprehensive academic integrity platform that helps educators better understand how student work is produced, supporting originality, critical thinking, and the responsible use of technology.”

Academic staff from different University of Rwanda colleges follow Leon Ntabomvura’s presentation on Turnitin during the workshop on ODeL Centre operationalisation and the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in education.

Ntabomvura noted that the rapid growth of AI in higher education makes it increasingly important for lecturers to understand both the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging technologies.

“Our goal is to equip academic staff with practical skills that enable them to use digital tools confidently and responsibly,” he said. “As AI becomes more common in teaching and learning, lecturers need to know how to harness its benefits while upholding the principles of academic integrity and quality education.”

Beyond the technical training, participants gained practical experience integrating AI-supported teaching and assessment into Moodle-based learning environments while aligning with the University’s academic integrity policies. The workshop also provided an opportunity for lecturers to share best practices in Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL), digital assessment, and the ethical use of AI in education.

As universities adapt to the growing influence of AI, the ability to uphold academic integrity while embracing innovation is becoming increasingly important. By equipping lecturers with practical skills in digital learning and responsible AI use, the University of Rwanda is helping ensure that technology enhances, rather than undermines, the quality and credibility of higher education.

The initiative reflects the University of Rwanda’s broader commitment to digital transformation, embracing innovative technologies while ensuring that academic quality, credibility, and integrity remain at the heart of teaching, learning, and assessment.

Story by

NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
PRO, UR-College of Education