In a progressive step towards enhancing academic excellence, our Centre, in collaboration with ATEK & Cross, organised a Digital Leadership and Supervision Excellence Training Workshop held from April 7 – 10, 2025. This workshop equipped lecturers and academic administrators with essential digital leadership skills that are increasingly vital in today’s educational landscape. This training workshop empowered participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance learning, improve research supervision and strengthen institutional governance. As the academic world becomes more intertwined with technology, fostering digital leadership is crucial for navigating the complexities of modern education.

The workshop was designed to provide practical insights and hands-on experience; hence, it covered a diverse range of topics, including:

  • Foundations of Digital Leadership in Academia: Participants explored the core principles of digital leadership and how they can be applied within academic settings to drive innovation and engagement.
  • Hands-on Workshop on AI-powered Research Tools (Artificial Intelligence): Attendees engaged in interactive sessions focused on utilising AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, NotebookLM, Paperpal, Deepseek, Thesify and StealthWriter for reference, literature reviews, content analysis and automated assessments. These tools are designed to streamline research processes and enhance productivity.
  • Cybersecurity in Academia: Addressed best practices for protecting sensitive academic information and maintaining data integrity amidst growing reliance on digital platforms.
  • Digital Ethics and Responsible AI Use: As educators, it is essential to navigate the ethical implications of technology integration in education, focusing on responsible AI use.
  • Blockchain for Academic Integrity: Participants learnt the potential of blockchain technology in maintaining academic integrity through secure documentation and verification of achievements.

As we move forward in an increasingly digital world, embracing these skills is vital for the success of our academic community. Together, let’s pave the way for innovative teaching, robust research supervision, and effective governance in our institutions.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to empower our educators and enhance our Centre’s commitment to excellence in academia.