🎉 Malawi Minister of Education Launches CAIST: Praises Importance of AI and STEAM 🚀
The Minister highlighted the importance of comprehending the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence,
📍 Thyolo, Malawi- Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has officially launched the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and STEAM (CAIST) at the prestigious Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), writes Winston Mwale.
This groundbreaking inauguration, held at MUST in Thyolo on Friday, October 13, 2023, attracted esteemed dignitaries, including government officials, academics, and students.
🎙️ The Warm Heart of Higher Education 🌟
Referring to MUST as the "Warm Heart of Higher Education," the Minister expressed her utmost pleasure in attending the launch and emphasized the significance of CAIST.
She unveiled her two primary reasons for gracing the event, stating, "Firstly, at a personal level, I realized that this event was an opportunity for me to understand beyond the terms Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and many other related terminologies that you scientists use."
She further added, "Secondly, at a Government level, I wanted to demonstrate my Ministry’s support for innovative ideas that seek to utilize emerging technologies to support Malawi’s development agenda."
💡 Embracing the Opportunities of AI 💪
The Minister highlighted the importance of comprehending the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence, as well as the necessity to develop appropriate policy and regulatory frameworks for its responsible use.
She acknowledged that AI is already an integral part of daily life, emphasizing that "AI is already here, and Malawians are interacting with it on a daily basis."
🌐 Leading the Charge in the 4IR 🌐
As Malawi gears up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the Minister emphasized the significance of embracing technology and innovation.
Through its strategic objectives, CAIST is set to drive progress in STEM and AI. The Minister called upon MUST, through CAIST, to take the lead in developing AI guidelines for Malawi, aligning with regional and international trends.
📚 Empowering Education and Research 🎓
CAIST aims to enhance academic performance, retention, and graduation rates in STEM and Arts disciplines, reduce failure rates in Science and Mathematics courses, and conduct applied research in AI to tackle developmental challenges in Malawi. The center will also champion inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and the overall improvement of STEM education in the country.
🌍 A Global Collaboration 🤝
The Minister expressed gratitude for the local and international collaborations that contributed to the establishment of CAIST, including the support from a consortium of US universities.
She encouraged further collaboration in a rapidly globalizing technological landscape.
🎉 Official Launch of CAIST 🚀
In her closing remarks, the Minister officially declared the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and STEAM at MUST launched. This momentous occasion marks a new era of technological advancement and education in Malawi.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates from AfricaBriefAI, your source for the latest developments in AI and beyond! 🌍📰✨