The Artificial Intelligence For Sustainable Development (AI4SD) launched the RAIL Robotics Club at Ola Girls Senior High School in the Ahafo Region.
The event introduced robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the school as part of an initiative to prepare students for the future workforce.
The program, funded by the French Embassy in Ghana and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and supported by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), International Development Research Center (IDRC) and the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D), saw over 100 students express interest and register for the club.
The inauguration began with a meeting between the school’s management, led by Headmistress Reverend Sister Antoinette Fatia Abiwu, and the AI4SD team from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Meeting with school management
During the meeting, AI4SD Team breifed management on the content of the MoU regarding the operation of the club and resposibilities of the school for participating in the Training of Trainers model of the club operation.
The inauguration of the club was done in collaboration with Mrs. Lucy Ama Ankra, the Ahafo Reginal Director of Education and was represented by STMIE coordinator, Mr. Lawerence Dery.
Mr. Lawrence Dery, STMIE Coordinator
The second session commenced with the inauguration of the club members and in attendance were the entire student population school management and press.
Rev. Sr. Fatia expressed her excitement of the application of Al and the inauguration of the robotics club such as getting the robots to perform routine task on campus such as sweeping at unfavourable weather conditions.
However, she was swift in commenting on the adverse effects of Al in education which are depriving learners the ability to reason, and develop critical learning skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and innovation. She admonished the students to focus on the positive side of Al applications.
Rev. Sr. Antoinette Fatia Abiwu, Headmistress of the school
The STMIE coordinator for Ahafo, Mr. Dery expressed his excitement for the inauguration of the Robotics Club in Ahafo. He reiterated that, “the acquired skills will go a long way to prepare the students for lifelong learning and field of work”.
He encouraged the students to take the training seriously.
A cross section of some the students
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, the Project Lead for AI4SD and the Scientific Director and Principal Investigator of RAIL, outlined the goals of AI4SD, highlighting the Robotics Club as a key program designed to prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and equip them with AI skills for addressing sustainable development challenges.
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, AI4SD Project Lead
Dr Eunice Akyereko Adjei had an interactive session on introduction to Al, Robotics and its responsible uses in various sectors.
She admonished the students to “desist from over reliance on Al educational solutions and rather use it as a tool to augment their studies and develop similar solutions for other sectors”
Dr. Eunice Akyereko Adjei, AI in education lead, educating and advising the students on AI and Robotics
Dr Martina Francisca Baidoo presented on options in higher education with emphasis on KNUST history, admission requirements, programs and career opportunities . The students were thrilled about the numerous programs at KNUST, and they followed up with several questions even after her presentation.
Dr. Martina Francisca Baidoo, AI4SD team member
Dr Eunice Akyereko Adjei later introduced the mentors involved in the Training of Trainers Model for the club operation and inaugurated the Ola Girls SHS RAIL Robotics Club.
Mentors were introduced to the Robotic Club members
She encouraged the students to first build a robot to execute the routine task of students during adverse weather conditions and progress to develop inclusive solutions to bridge the gaps in gender Al innovations.
Inauguration of the Robotics club
The inauguration concluded with Dr. Kwame Oteng Gyasi leading the first Training of Trainers session in the school’s computer lab.
First Training of Trainers session in the school’s computer lab led by Dr. Kwame Oteng Gyasi
He introduced the mentors to the EV3 software, essential robotics skills, and potential projects that could be undertaken within the club.
