IBRI: The University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), in collaboration with the ICESCO Chair in AI Ethics and the Human Resources Development Committee at the UTAS Ibri branch, organised a virtual symposium on April 15, titled ‘An Introduction to How Universities Can Ethically Adopt Artificial Intelligence.’
The symposium, targeted at global faculty members and students and featured Azhar Ziaur Rahman, an international expert in governance and digital transformation. It was moderated by Dr Himlatha Gunasekaran from the Ibri branch. Discussions focused on AI’s significance in higher education, phased and ethical adoption methods and strategic future steps.
With 158 participants — including 141 academic and administrative staff; and 17 students — the session highlighted that AI is no longer a future prospect but a present-day imperative, demanding clear ethical frameworks and transparent standards. Survey feedback showed strong engagement and a desire for more training in ethical AI applications.
In continuation of these efforts, UTAS participated in an interactive workshop during Unesco AI Chair Day at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat on April 17. Led by Dr Musab al Rawi and Dr Preethi Bhaskar, the workshop addressed ethical challenges in AI integration, presenting case studies and forming key recommendations like establishing governance policies, bias detection mechanisms and transparency protocols.
Both events reflected a growing awareness in Omani academic circles of the urgent need to integrate AI responsibly. They also demonstrated a collective commitment to shaping a future where artificial intelligence enhances learning without compromising ethical and human values, setting a model for other institutions in the region to follow.
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