Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has stressed the importance of Nigerian universities embracing a paradigm shift from the old to new methods of teaching and learning, as well as societal beliefs and perspectives about university education.
He said changes are taking place on a daily basis and in an accelerated manner in virtually all fields of human endeavours and that university education cannot be left behind, especially as the world moves deeper into the 21st century knowledge economy.
Ogundipe, a multiple-award-winning scholar and researcher, shared this thought and perspective as a guest lecturer at the maiden matriculation ceremony of Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, on Saturday, June 15.
The former Minister of Industries, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande, who is the Pro-Chancellor of the university, was among the dignitaries in attendance.
Ogundipe spoke on the theme “Paradigm Shift in University Education: The Aletheia University Ago-Iwoye Perspective.”
According to him, people are shifting the lens through which they view the world even as new inventions and capabilities are evolving, including in the university community, that are now making the learning and teaching experience more fulfilling and a path to great success for both the learners and facilitators.
He said that though discussions are still ongoing about the value of a college degree, university credentials, costs, student learning outcomes, success attainment rate, paths to desirable employment, and policy issues, there is a great need to embrace new paradigms and tools to adequately prepare learners for global relevance.
He listed inspiring innovation and creativity as two of the requisite tools to embrace.
While referencing the role of artificial general intelligence (AGI) in decision-making and economic activities, Ogundipe noted that such AGI disruption has already crept into higher education as well.
According to him, as universities struggle to remain relevant and prove their worth to learners across the globe, there is no clear agreement on how to respond to the AGI moment or how to embrace it as a new paradigm shift.
He said these rapid breakthroughs and unexpected developments that the world is witnessing today are parts of the advancements in AGI.
He, however, pointed out the critical challenge embedded in AGI, which, according to him, is not about it replacing human decision-makers but about people increasingly relying on it for critical guidance.
He said that there is a need for humanity to harness AGI’s power responsibly and ensure that human beings perform oversight functions that factor into industry ethics.
He mentioned that AGI is now also being used in university admissions to strengthen students’ retention until graduation.
He emphasised the need to integrate AGI into higher education and the teaching and learning ecosystem, saying embracing its use in a humanistic and ethical way would deepen the university’s efforts in producing fit-for-purpose graduates.
According to him, a new paradigm stresses learner autonomy, innovation, continuous learning and teaching, and quality rather than quantity of thinking.
He pointed out that even though the shift to a new paradigm may take a long time, as many don’t easily give in to their old beliefs and ways of doing things, the evolution of new theories and experiments with evidence-based outcomes will certainly pave the way for the completion of the new shift process and its dominance.
He emphasised that Nigerian educational institutions need to move from traditional to blended classrooms, teacher to student-centred, dependent to independent, control to autonomy. reinforcement to reflection, as well as from industrial to information.
He said the era where teachers took full control of class and taught just to prepare students to pass exams and get good grades had long gone, as what matters now is for students to understand the concept and syllabus and apply the knowledge gained to make positive impacts in their chosen fields and society at large.
He, however, urged Aletheia University to ensure it adopts multiple modular teaching styles where every student, irrespective of background, achieves lifelong learning, studies with the workplace in focus, is equipped with cross-cutting adaptive skills, and collaborates with the public and private sectors.
He said 21st-century education needs to factor in a curriculum that covers a wide range of areas, which include but are not limited to character development, emotional intelligence, employability skills, leadership and social skills, multiple intelligences, as well as teamwork, critical thinking, and diversity skills.
He said it is not only Aletheia University but the whole educational community in Nigeria that needs to embrace the new shift.
He said the positive effects of doing so outweigh its demerits.
Speaking earlier, the Founder and Chancellor of the university, Maj. Gen. Sansadeen Awosanya (retd), expressed happiness that the university eventually takes off with academic activities, congratulating the pioneer students on their admission.
He urged them to be hardworking, perseverant, and resolute so as to be able to achieve their purposes and those of their parents for choosing the school.
He pointed out that, though the road may be rough, they should treasure their enrollment in university education as a suitable way of preparing them for a secure future.
He said the university is ready to train and nurture them with the right knowledge, skills, and good characters that would shape them for societal relevance now and in the future.
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