Anambra Information Commissioner Urges Universities to bridge gap between theory and practice

 

…As UNIZIK Psychology Department Holds Conference

 

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has called on institutions of higher learning to work towards bridging the gap between theory and practice.

 

Dr. Mefor, who spoke during the Scientific Conference of the Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, held on 16th to 17th July, 2025, encouraged the university community to bring psychological knowledge into practical community use in the spirit of “gown and the town.” He suggested future hosting of such conferences outside the university so that its impact can be felt far and wide.

 

The commissioner noted that the current government of Anambra state under Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has, through effective governance, promoted human capital development in education, infrastructure, commerce and industry.

 

Also speaking, a frontline businessman, Engr. Chief Innocent Akuvue, called on the academia to leverage advanced technological tools, including artificial intelligence, to widen their knowledge and advance the practice of their career.

 

He advised lecturers to ensure full participation in workshops and conferences such as the one organized by the department so as to improve their skills and contribute to body of knowledge. In his words, “conferences like this offer researchers opportunity to present and learn new things in their various disciplines, while creating opportunity for expert interaction that can easily transform to new ways of solving challenges.”

 

The keynote speaker, who is a high-profile oil and gas industry player, averred that integration of the knowledge of AI into the study and practice of psychology will enhance human capital development. He, therefore, charged the government and private organisations, and indeed all stakeholders to, through cooperation and effective leadership, create an enabling environment for human capital development, which, he observed, will in turn lead to national development.

 

In a lead paper presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence in Psychology: Opportunities, Impacts, and Ethical Pitfalls,” Prof. Philip Chukwuemeka Mefor of the Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, argued that AI can be applied across various endeavours including the study and practice of psychology. He observed that AI systems can help in the analysis of large datasets, such as EEG or MRI, which help to facilitate early detection of mental health conditions, thus enabling early intervention and prevention of serious mental crisis. This, he said, can assist clinical psychologists make better decisions for improved diagnosis and therapy support.

 

Prof. Mefor averred that AI-powered self-help tools, such as chat bots and virtual assistants, can provide support for clients to manage their mental health issues outside of traditional therapy sessions. He, however, affirmed that AI cannot replace human agency. “AI is not a replacement for human psychologists. Rather, AI is a powerful tool that can help psychologists do their work better,” he stated.

Earlier in his address, the Head of Department of Psychology, Prof. Chidozie Nwafor, stated that conferences are not just for problem-solving but also for discovery. He reflected on some of the critical questions on the role of human beings in the era of AI, while emphasizing the need for thoughtful reflection and responsible research, stating that while AI is advancing, it remains dependent on human input.

 

The second day of the conference commenced with a presentation on “ChatGPT and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence” by Dr. Darlingtina Esiaka, a Carnegie African Diaspora (CAD) fellow, who discussed the benefits and ethical concerns surrounding AI, particularly as related to attribution. She emphasized that lecturers should guide students on how to use AI tools responsibly to avoid academic misconducts. It was an interactive session in which students asked questions on how to properly use AI without being committing plagiarism.

 

A health awareness session also came up on the day wherein health professionals gave talks on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing prevention, testing, and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) for early intervention, as well as awareness, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. Participants were encouraged to know their health status and take proactive steps toward disease prevention and wellness.

 

The day 2 of the conference also featured paper presentation by some final year undergraduate students of the department.

 

One of the highlights of the event was award presentation to oil and gas mogul, Engr. Innocent Akuvue, and Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor.