The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi will make a new self-paced course on the responsible use of artificial intelligence available to postgraduate students from January 12, 2026, when lectures for the academic year begin, following a review meeting to finalise its rollout.

The review meeting, held by the KNUST E-Learning Centre, brought together its leadership, the School of Graduate Studies and members of the responsible artificial intelligence course development committee to assess progress and agree on final adjustments ahead of implementation.

The course, titled Responsible AI for Postgraduate Students, is designed to introduce graduate students to the ethical and appropriate use of artificial intelligence in research and academic work, amid the growing adoption of AI tools in universities.

Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah, said the review was necessary to ensure the course meets students’ needs while aligning with graduate school policies.

“We were contracted by the School of Graduate Studies to develop this course, and this meeting is to take a final look at what has been done and what still needs attention,” he said.

The course will be delivered as a self-paced online programme hosted on the university’s learning management system. Content areas include basic AI concepts, common misconceptions, ethical use, research integrity, governance issues and the African context.

Dr Henry Nunoo-Mensah of the Department of Computer Engineering, who led the course development, said the focus was on equipping students with practical skills that extend beyond examinations.

“The emphasis is on helping students understand how to use AI tools responsibly in their work, without undermining academic integrity,” he said.

Discussions at the meeting also centred on encouraging genuine student participation and reducing the risk of misuse, while keeping the course accessible to students from different academic backgrounds.

Director of the School of Graduate Studies, Professor Michael Poku-Boansi, said the initiative responds to concerns about the increasing use of AI in postgraduate research.

“This is about skills, awareness and responsibility. We want students to know what is acceptable and what is not when using AI in academic work,” he said.

His deputy, Professor Godfred Darko, said the course would help standardise understanding of AI use across graduate programmes.

“It brings several training sessions into one structured course that students can complete at their own pace,” he said.

Assessment and certification arrangements were also reviewed, with agreement that the course should prioritise continuous feedback and practical engagement rather than heavy grading.

Dr Yaw Mensah Asare, Exams Officer at the School of Graduate Studies, said assessment systems must strike a balance between flexibility and credibility.

“There has to be a way to confirm that students have actually engaged with the course, without turning it into a traditional examination,” he said.