Governor Peter Mbah is turning his vision of turning Enugu State into a powerhouse for tech-driven economic growth into a concrete reality, pushing for hands-on, skills-based education over outdated theory. In a bold move, he has dispatched a high-level delegation from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) to Doha, Qatar, for an intensive academic study visit focused on artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, applied learning, and real-world implementation.
Led by ESUT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aloysius-Michael Okolie, the team is touring top-tier academic and advanced learning institutions across Qatar, soaking up firsthand knowledge of the country’s immersive applied learning systems. Qatar was handpicked for its world-class educational institutions and its relentless focus on experiential, practical learning.
This study visit is part of a budding partnership between Enugu and Qatar, and it sets the stage for a game-changing project: the creation of a Centre for Artificial Intelligence Studies, Research and Innovation at ESUT. The centre promises to open up new frontiers for students, offering expanded experiential learning, cutting-edge research, and deep industry ties in AI fields.
A statement from the Government House in Enugu quoted Prof. Okolie as stressing the urgent need for a major upgrade in how teaching and learning are done in the state. “We need to study successful models and engage with informed perspectives to align our programmes with global standards in Robotics, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Software Engineering,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the delegation was carefully chosen to match the state’s strategic education and innovation blueprint. He praised Governor Mbah’s vision for smart education and technological progress in Enugu.
Host institution representatives in Qatar threw their full support behind the initiative, pointing out that technology is not neutral—its impact hinges on how it is used and governed.
After a series of institutional inspections, the delegation visited select innovation facilities, where they attended presentations on global education systems, AI adaptation strategies, and emerging tech models. In one session, Dr. Dhamir Mannai, a Cloud and Cyber Security Systems lead, hammered home the need to weave AI into modern academic curricula. He argued that universities must constantly adapt to the breakneck pace of technological change to stay competitive and relevant.
The team also toured leading schools like Al Maha Academy for Boys, with more visits lined up at tertiary institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University of Qatar.
Enugu officials say the proposed AI centre is set to become a hub of excellence, offering industry-driven training, research opportunities, innovation pathways, and professional development for students, academics, and practitioners.
Beyond just soaking up knowledge, discussions in Doha tackled the opportunities and challenges of AI. Stakeholders stressed the need for responsible adaptation and the creation of solid regulatory frameworks to handle issues like misinformation, ethical dilemmas, and AI-generated content. They pledged to provide technical know-how and ethical guidance to back the initiative and boost collaboration between academia and industry.
The delegation is expected to return with strategic recommendations to strengthen the integration of AI into teaching, research, and broader educational development in Enugu State.
The Enugu team includes senior academic and administrative leaders from ESUT: Prof. Chike Anibeze, Director of Academic Planning; Registrar Ambrose Ugwu; Prof. Titus Enudu, Chairman of the MoU Committee; Prof. Frank Iloeje, Director of Physical Planning; Dr. Onyekachi Egwuagu, Director of TETFund; Dr. Jonathan Okolie from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office; and Samson Eneje, an Enugu-born tech expert based in Qatar.
