Victoria University Trains Entire Workforce in AI to Boost Productivity

KAMPALA – Victoria University has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) training programme for its entire workforce, targeting staff across all departments as the institution moves to integrate the technology into its daily operations and prepare students for a changing job market.

The training, held at the university on Monday, brought together employees from different departments, with management emphasising that AI skills should not be limited to lecturers, IT specialists or other technology-focused personnel.

Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga said every employee should understand how to use AI to solve problems and improve the institution’s operations.

“Any position in this university, they must understand how to use AI and how to effectively apply it in solving different problems here at our university,” Dr Muganga said.

He said the university has a responsibility to equip graduates with practical skills relevant to an economy increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

According to Muganga, training staff across the institution is intended to build a culture of practical AI adoption, with the benefits extending beyond employees to students who interact with the university’s services and learning environment.

Julius Bukyana, Victoria University’s Corporate and Public Affairs Manager, said the institution expects staff to translate the skills acquired during the training into their everyday work.

“Once they learn the skills and have them implemented in their daily operations, we well know that the ripple effect is going to be big to our students,” Bukyana said.

The session was facilitated by Tim Abels, an AI investor and technology expert, who urged participants to embrace practical tools that can improve productivity, simplify routine tasks and support innovation.

Abels highlighted tools including AI Studio, Gemini Notebook and n8n Automation, encouraging participants to explore how such technologies can be applied in business and professional settings.

“You need to work a hundred times smarter,” Abels told participants.

He also challenged students to use their time at university to develop practical skills and explore entrepreneurship alongside their academic studies.

Abels encouraged students to establish AI-focused clubs, experiment with business ideas and tap into the expertise and support available within the university. He said students should begin exploring opportunities to create solutions and businesses while still at university.

The initiative reflects Victoria University’s effort to extend AI adoption beyond technology-related courses and into the wider institutional workforce. By involving staff across different functions, the university aims to make AI a practical tool in everyday activities rather than a skill confined to a select group of specialists.

The programme comes amid growing discussion about how artificial intelligence is reshaping workplaces, business processes and the skills employers expect from graduates.

For universities, the shift presents both an opportunity to improve internal efficiency and a challenge to ensure students develop the knowledge and practical abilities needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven economy.

At Victoria University, management says the training is part of a broader professional development programme designed to strengthen AI capacity among employees and create a wider impact on teaching, student support and institutional operations.