Students and members of the James Hope University (JHU) community have engaged senior officials of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in discussions on the future of higher education, international partnerships and the impact of artificial intelligence on learning.
The engagement took place on Monday, September 14, during LSE’s second visit to the James Hope University campus. It was held under the theme, “Education Across Borders: Building Collaborative Opportunities Between the Global South and the West.”
The session provided an opportunity for students, faculty and members of the university community to interact directly with the LSE delegation and explore ways institutions in the Global South and the West can develop deeper and more reciprocal academic relationships.
The LSE delegation comprised Ben Plummer-Powell, Chief Philanthropy and Global Engagement Officer; Sarah Cook, Director of Leadership Philanthropy; and Corey Moore, Chief of Staff, Global Engagement and Philanthropy.
The discussions focused on the changing landscape of higher education, cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange and the need for universities to prepare students for a rapidly changing global environment.
Artificial intelligence was also a major focus of the engagement, with participants examining how universities can respond to the growing use of AI in education, research and the workplace while maintaining an emphasis on critical thinking, professional competence and other essential human skills.
Plummer-Powell noted that the rapid advancement of AI could make some existing academic qualifications less relevant over time, increasing the need for lifelong learning.
He also stressed the importance of soft skills, noting that effective communication, cultural awareness and the ability to engage with people from different backgrounds would remain important in an increasingly globalised environment.
The discussion also examined the role of universities in addressing socio-economic challenges and contributing to public policy debates.
Zephia Ovia-Ikem, JHU Director of Strategic Partnerships and International Office and a Board of Trustees representative, said the changing nature of education could influence how African universities engage with social and economic issues.
She noted that while universities in some Western countries often participate in advocacy and public discourse, Nigerian institutions have traditionally maintained a more neutral position on major socio-economic issues.
According to her, the growing influence of AI and the expansion of learning beyond the traditional classroom could prompt African universities to reconsider how they contribute to wider societal conversations in the coming years.
The engagement forms part of James Hope University’s efforts to strengthen international academic relationships and expose its students and faculty to global perspectives, institutions and emerging ideas.
The university said continued engagements of this nature would contribute to building stronger academic networks and creating opportunities for collaboration between institutions in Africa and other parts of the world.
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