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Dr. Mathias Nduwingoma delivers a presentation on Artificial Intelligence in Education, encouraging academic staff to embrace AI as a tool for enhancing teaching and learning while maintaining ethical and responsible practices.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries across the world, educators are increasingly asking how this technology can be used to improve teaching and learning. At UR Nyagatare Campus, this important conversation is taking center stage during the Workshops to Develop Practical Skills on the Effective Utilization of ODeL Centre Facilities and the Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education for University of Rwanda academic staff.

One of the key presentations was delivered by Dr. Mathias Nduwingoma, Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE), who provided participants with an overview of AI and its growing influence across different sectors.

Dr. Nduwingoma demonstrated how AI is being applied in healthcare, finance, commerce, education, and other fields. He explained that AI-powered technologies are helping organizations improve efficiency, automate routine tasks, analyze large volumes of data, and support informed decision-making. Through practical examples, he illustrated how AI is rapidly becoming an integral part of everyday life and professional practice.

Focusing on education, he highlighted both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with AI adoption. AI, he noted, can assist lecturers in preparing teaching materials, designing assessments, supporting research, and providing personalized feedback. For students, it can create more individualized learning experiences and improve access to educational resources.

However, Dr. Nduwingoma emphasized that AI should not be viewed as a replacement for teachers. Instead, he described it as a tool that complements human expertise and helps educators work more effectively. “Artificial Intelligence is not about replacing educators ; it is about enhancing human potential and improving the way we teach and learn,” he told participants. He added that critical thinking, creativity, ethical judgment, and meaningful interaction between teachers and learners remain essential elements of quality education.

University of Rwanda academic staff participate in a workshop session focused on the effective use of ODeL Centre facilities and the ethical and responsible application of Artificial Intelligence in Education at UR Nyagatare Campus.

He also challenged participants to rethink their relationship with technology. “The question is no longer whether AI will influence education, but how we can use it ethically and effectively to improve learning outcomes,” he noted. He encouraged academic staff to embrace continuous learning and view AI as a partner in innovation rather than a threat to their profession.

His message aligns with the vision shared by Prof. Florien Nsanganwimana, Principal of UR-CE, who urged academic staff to make full use of ODeL Centre facilities and adopt AI responsibly to enrich teaching and learning. He emphasized that the ODeL Centres were established to break barriers to education and expand learning opportunities through technology.

The emphasis on the ethical and responsible use of AI echoed discussions at the 4th International Conference on Re-shaping Education for Sustainable Development, organized by UR-CE and partners from 15–17 June 2026 at the University of Rwanda’s Gikondo Campus. Among the conference clusters was Artificial Intelligence and Educational Transformation, which explored how emerging technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, and research. Prof. Nsanganwimana underscored the importance of equipping educators and students with digital competencies while ensuring technology is used ethically, responsibly, and inclusively.

Together, the perspectives shared during the workshop point to a common vision : harnessing technology not to replace educators, but to empower them in delivering quality, inclusive, and future-ready education.

Story by

NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
PRO, UR-College of Education