African universities have been urged to fundamentally reform their education systems by shifting from certificate-driven learning to practical skills development to prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) economy. 

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Southshore University College, Professor Felix N. Hammond, who made the call, said the traditional model of assessing students primarily through examinations and academic certificates was no longer adequate in a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation and emerging digital technologies.

Delivering his address at the 10th Congregation of the university in Accra last Saturday, Prof. Hammond said employers were no longer interested only in what graduates knew but, more importantly, in what they were capable of doing.  

"AI is changing everything. Very soon, there will be no need for students to tell employers what they know because AI can provide that information. What employers will require is evidence of what graduates can do in the real world," he said.  

Prof. Hammond stressed the need for universities to redesign their curricula to place greater emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and problem-solving to ensure graduates remained relevant in an increasingly competitive global economy.  

He said the Southshore University College had already begun moving away from the traditional lecture-and-examination approach by encouraging students to develop portfolios of practical work, while engaging with industry throughout their studies.  

Delivering the keynote address, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University, Professor Bill Buenar Puplampu, cautioned that Africa risked missing another industrial revolution unless governments, universities and the private sector deliberately invested in artificial intelligence, research and innovation.  

Strategic direction

The President of the Southshore University College, Professor N.N.N. Nsowah-Nuamah, said the institution's transition from the Dominion University College marked a new strategic direction focused on artificial intelligence, research and innovation.  

Challenge to graduates  

The Patron of the Southshore University College, Baafuor Dr Ossei Hyeaman Brantuo VI, Manwerehene of Otumfuo, challenged graduates to harness artificial intelligence to develop practical solutions to some of Ghana's most pressing socio-economic challenges.  

In all, 82 students graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND), undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and Executive Certificate in Business Management (ECBM) qualifications.