The Writing Center, American University of Nigeria, hosted a bi-weekly workshop on September 27, 2024, to help students enhance their writing skills. This event focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for academic integrity. The workshop at the AUN Library Auditorium was part of the university's ongoing efforts to provide students with the tools they need to produce well-written and ethically sound academic work.
Undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members, all committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, filled the seats. The workshop opened with remarks from AUN Librarian Mr. Benson Ali, who taught briefly on correct grammatical practices, focusing on the importance of punctuation. His insights gave participants practical guidance to improve their papers' and assignments' clarity and precision.
The key speaker, Dr. Inuwa Ibrahim, Chair of the Information Technology (IT) Department, delivered a detailed presentation addressing the intersection of AI and professional misconduct in tertiary institutions. Dr. Ibrahim stressed the importance of vigilance in an age where Generative AI such as ChatGPT is widely available but threatens academic integrity. Students must be careful with AI outputs to avoid the severe consequences of plagiarism, he said. Dr. Ibrahim Inuwa shared various AI tools he had tested, explaining their limitations and how unaware students can accidentally plagiarize, cite incorrectly, or use wrong information. Dr. Ibrahim's recommendations are available for further review at the Writing Center's website at https://www.aun.edu.ng/wc/resources/#24-34-wpfd-guest-presentations.
Also speaking, Ms. Emilienne Akpan, Director of the AUN Writing Center, urged students to utilize these regular sessions for their academic development. "Students should take advantage of the bi-weekly workshops to improve their writing skills and produce well-written papers," she said, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in writing competency and literary skills. The AUN Writing Center continues to organize these workshops to empower students to excel in their academic pursuits, avoid academic misconduct, and maintain a bright academic future.
Reported by El-Miracle Akpan