By Abubakar Baba Ahmad.
About Fifty selected Academics from different Departments and Faculties of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ATBU Bauchi are undergoing a One-Day Train the Trainers Workshop on the use of the newly designed Distinction Digital Learning Platform, developed for academic staff to ensure effective teaching and learning.
Distinction App Digital Learning Platform is an Artificial Intelligence platform designed by Flexsaf, a leading Nigerian educational technology company dedicated to reinventing learning and teaching through innovative software, specifically for higher education.
Speaking at the training, the Vice Chancellor of ATBU Professor Ibrahim Garba said the app with features to include intelligent content generation for lectures and assignments, predictive analytics for student performance, and advanced tools for research collaboration and publication, is designed to empower educators with knowledge to focus on mentorship rather than routine tasks.
“Globally, institutions harnessing AI report up to 40% improvements in student outcomes and research productivity, as seen in leading universities like those in the QS World Rankings. At ATBU Bauchi, embracing this evolution positions us not as followers, but as pioneers, ensuring our graduates thrive in an AI-infused world while elevating our institution’s global standing”, Prof. Garba commends.
Professor Garba represented by the University Librarian Dr Dauda Bakum commended Flexsaf for the commitment to bridging the digital divide in African academia, urging the participants to master the tools towards igniting a culture of digital proficiency that will distinguish the institution from others especially in technology and innovation.
“I commend Flexsaf for their unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide in African academia through this collaboration. By training you, our trainers, as the vanguard of Distinction AI adoption, we multiply its impact across our faculties, igniting a culture of digital proficiency that will distinguish ATBU in technology and innovation”, the VC notes.
Earlier, the ATBU Director of ICT Abdulkadir Danlami said the training is not just about learning how to use a software application, but equipping academics with the skills needed to remain relevant, effective, and innovative educators in the digital age.
Abdulkadir Danlami who said the knowledge will enable the academics to convert expertise into structured digital courses, reach learners beyond the physical classroom, improve student engagement and learning outcomes, as well as integrate AI-supported teaching practices into daily work, urged them to step down the knowledge to other colleagues for maximum benefits.
“This workshop is therefore not just about learning how to use a software application. It is about re-thinking how we teach in an AI-enabled academic environment. It is about equipping ourselves with the skills needed to remain relevant, effective, and innovative educators in the digital age.”
“I encourage you all to participate actively—ask questions, explore the features of the platform, and reflect on how these tools can be applied within your disciplines”, the ICT Director states.
The training saw experts in the AI field present papers on Introduction to Distinction AI-driven e-Learning platform, Distinction in ATBU: Content creation, content editing, sharing with students, assignments, students’ performance monitoring, and Distinction Market Place – Earn passive income on what you do best by Dr Mansur Adam Saidu of ATBU and Baba Ali of Flexsaf.
