I am honored to share an exciting milestone in my academic journey and ongoing efforts to bridge cutting-edge artificial intelligence with impactful real-world applications in health sciences.
Recently, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) in Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, officially unveiled its Centre for Artificial Intelligence Application. This landmark initiative stems from a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DUFUHS and the Centre of Intelligence of Things (CIoTH) at the University of Greater Manchester, where I serve as a researcher and faculty member.
A Shared Vision for Future-Ready Education
The landscape of healthcare and higher education is undergoing a fundamental transformation powered by AI. Specialized health institutions must equip the next generation of doctors, researchers, administrators, and computer scientists with advanced computational tools.
During the unveiling, DUFUHS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jesse Uneke, emphasized the core mission of this collaboration:
“The partnership will support AI capacity building, staff and student training, collaborative research, application development, and the deployment of AI-driven solutions for societal impact.”
As a Visiting Professor to DUFUHS, I am humbled to lead the technical guidance, training programs, and research frameworks for the centre. My goal is simple: to empower staff and students to transform theoretical AI concepts into practical, life-saving healthcare solutions.
Key Areas of Focus
Working alongside Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Nkeiruka Folaranmi, the DVC Academic, and the Faculty of Computing and Digital Health, our agenda at the centre focuses on three core pillars:
- Interdisciplinary Training: Delivering tailored AI modules across health sciences, public health, digital health, and computing.
- Applied Healthcare Research: Developing AI models for medical diagnostics, predictive public health modeling, and operational efficiency in hospital administration.
- Capacity Building & Global Exchange: Facilitating joint research initiatives and continuous learning opportunities for both internal academics and external health professionals.
Looking Forward
As Prof. Folaranmi kindly noted during the launch, AI is no longer optional, it is essential for professional relevance and institutional leadership.
I am eager to begin our hands-on training sessions and launch research projects that leverage the intelligence of things to solve critical healthcare challenges in Nigeria and across the globe.
To my students, colleagues, and research collaborators: I invite you to follow along as we build out programs at the new centre. There will be numerous opportunities for joint publications, workshops, and practical AI implementations in the months ahead.
CIWebsite
Professor of Artificial Intelligence & Head of the Centre for Intelligent Things (CIoTh), University of Greater Manchester.