CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY PUSHES RESPONSIBLE AI USE AS 1,050 STUDENTS PREPARE TO GRADUATE

KAMPALA — Cavendish University Uganda (CUU) will on Thursday graduate more than 1,050 students, with university officials highlighting artificial intelligence, digital skills, entrepreneurship and employability as key priorities in preparing graduates for the changing world of work.

The university's 15th graduation ceremony is scheduled for August 20 at the Speke Resort Munyonyo Convention Centre and will be officiated by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Chancellor of Cavendish University Uganda.

The ceremony will be held under the theme "Graduating Global Talent for Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Impact," which the university says reflects its commitment to producing graduates who are not only ready for employment but also capable of creating opportunities, driving innovation and contributing to development.

Speaking to journalists at the university's main campus in Kampala on Tuesday, Academic Registrar Mr. Michael Okopa said a total of 1,050 students will be awarded diplomas and conferred degrees, comprising 473 females and 577 males.

Okopa said the theme was deliberately chosen to demonstrate CUU's focus on producing graduates equipped to compete in an increasingly globalised and technology-driven labour market.

The ceremony will also be attended by Hon. Sanjay Tanna, Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, as Chief Guest, while Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, Superintendent of Industrial Value Chains at the Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, will deliver the commencement address.

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms education and employment, CUU officials said universities must ensure students are equipped to use the technology responsibly while also bridging the digital divide.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Olutayo Osunsan said CUU is working to expand access to digital technologies, while calling for greater government support to improve internet connectivity and access to devices.

He said students need access to the tools required to participate effectively in the digital economy, noting that universities and government have complementary roles to play in closing the digital gap.

On artificial intelligence, Osunsan said CUU teaches students to use AI ethically and productively, rather than relying on it as a substitute for learning. He said the changing workplace increasingly requires people to work smarter, deliver quality results and use technology effectively, making digital competence an important component of modern education.

CUU Executive Director Mr. David Mutabanura said wider adoption of AI will depend partly on improving access to affordable devices, reliable internet connectivity and practical training. He said government could accelerate digital transformation by supporting access to devices and internet connectivity in schools, while universities should also invest in technologies that expose students to emerging tools.

Mutabanura stressed the importance of AI ethics, saying students must be guided to use emerging technologies responsibly and productively rather than for harmful or criminal activities.

He added that universities must also address the challenge of students completing their studies without adequate practical skills for the workplace, calling for closer monitoring of academic performance, early identification of learning gaps and interventions such as tutoring to ensure learners receive support before they fall behind.

He emphasised the importance of skills development for employability, saying academic qualifications must be complemented by practical competencies demanded by employers and the wider economy.

According to Mutabanura, 75 percent of Cavendish University students start and complete their studies within the expected period, while 87 percent are either self-employed or employed by others. He said the figures demonstrate the importance of combining academic training with practical and digital skills, particularly as employers increasingly demand competence in emerging technologies.

Mutabanura, however said CUU has made AI and digital skills more accessible through programmes and courses in areas such as Data Science, giving students an opportunity to acquire skills relevant to the evolving labour market. He said the university's approach is aimed at ensuring graduates do not merely leave with academic certificates but possess the ability to adapt, innovate and create value in a technology-driven economy.

The university's 15th graduation is expected to highlight CUU's broader push to produce globally competitive graduates equipped for employment, entrepreneurship and impact, in line with the institution's graduation theme.