The Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODel) on behalf of Makerere University, in collaboration with a consortium of 21 partner institutions from 13 countries across Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, is implementing a project titled: Critical Virtual Exchange in Artificial Intelligence (CVEinAI).
The participating countries include Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, France, Romania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Namibia, Ghana and Botswana with the University of Padua in Italy coordinating the consortium.
The CVEinAI is a three-year project which started in February 2025, and Makerere University is the only participating institution from Uganda. The CVEinAI project team at Makerere University includes: Dr. Harriet Nabushawo-Project Investigator (P.I.), Professor Paul Muyinda Birevu (Co-PI), Dr. Harriet Najjemba, Dr. Richard Kajumbula and Ms. Hope Musiime.
Standing L-R:Ms. Hope Musiime, Dr. Harriet Najjemba, Professor Paul Muyinda Birevu (Co-PI), and Dr. Richard Kajumbula.
Funded by the European Union and Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF), the CVEinAI project objectives include: Strengthening AI literacy, building the capacity of Higher Education Institution staff to embed Virtual Exchange within curricula, equipping student facilitators and teachers with critical approaches to AI, training educators to systematically identify and mitigate embedded biases and assumptions, and to explore challenges and risks of AI use across diverse contexts.
In pursuit of the objectives, the project team at Makerere University based the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, and the Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning (IODEL) under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) hosted an Open Day on 25th March 2026, to onboard stakeholders by highlighting the activities accomplished, the work in progress, and above all, the expected impact of the CVEinAI in the higher education sector across Africa and Europe.
The Open Day featured speeches with authorities in the field articulating informed messages on the role of AI in the transformation of the education sector, as well as, presentations demonstrating the training and capacity building activities accomplished, and those in the pipeline. For instance, during the Open Day, the participants, witnessed the award of badges and certificates, to students and staff who had successfully completed the CVEinAI Course for Facilitators, as well as, the CVEinAI Upskilling Masterclass.
Listening to the speeches and presentations, the various stakeholders appreciated that the Critical Virtual Exchange in AI (CVEinAI) project, is aimed at reshaping how students and staff engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) while strengthening their critical thinking skills.
Building critical thinking skills in AI and studying the risks of over-reliance on AI
Welcoming the staff, students, facilitators and stakeholders to the Open Day, the CVEinAI Principal Investigator and Dean, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, described the project as an approach for studying critical thinking skills in AI that connects students from Europe and Africa through digital tools to participate in structured technology-mediated collaborations.
“By integrating intercultural dialogue and collaborative learning, CVE moves beyond technical AI instruction to foster critical thinking and responsible innovation,” said Dr. Nabushawo, the Principal Investigator.
She stated that the project is a collaborative initiative involving 21 institutions from 13 countries across Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting over 2400 students through multiple training cycles between 2026 and 2027.
Dr. Nabushawo highlighted that the project will help the university respond to the growing concerns about the increasing reliance on AI in education. “AI is now widely used by students, lecturers and administrators. However, over-reliance on it risks weakening critical thinking and independent judgment,” she stated.
In the presentation, Dr. Nabushawo articulated that Critical Virtual Exchange (CVE) in AI offers a practical and transformative approach to implementation in higher education. She expounded that when effectively embedded, CVE not only enhances AI literacy, but also prepares learners to critically examine and shape the societal impacts of AI in diverse, rea-world contexts.
AI is rapidly transforming the landscape of higher education
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) of Makerere University, Professor Sarah Ssali, in a speech
read by Professor Robert Wamala, the Director, Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships,
emphasized that the CVEinAI was timely and relevant, noting that the project was being implemented when AI is rapidly transforming the landscape of higher education.
“AI is redefining the landscape of academia. AI is transforming how knowledge is generated, how learning is delivered, and how institutions collaborate across geographical and disciplinary boundaries,” stated Professor Ssali. Therefore, the CVEinAI Open Day marks a significant step in advancing the integration of AI into teaching, learning, and research at Makerere University.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) stressed that for a research-led institution such as Makerere University, the CVEinAI project presents both an opportunity and a responsibility to harness technology in addressing societal challenges and driving sustainable development.
Professor Ssali guided that while AI offers great potential, its adoption must be guided by three key considerations: inclusivity and accessibility, ethical and critical engagement, collaboration and knowledge sharing. She advised that digital platforms should expand access to learning for all including distance learners and persons with disabilities while maintaining fairness and transparency. She added that technology should remain a tool that supports, not replacing human thinking.
Transformation of Makerere through digital pedagogy and innovative learning approaches
The Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga represented by the Deputy Principal, Professor Ronald Bisaso, commended the CVEinAI project team on its tremendous contribution to Makerere’s transformation through modelling digital pedagogy.
The Principal described the approach as an inclusive model bringing staff and students together into the innovation process. He urged the project team to be deliberate and extend the program to staff and students from other Colleges, to ensure that no one is left behind. He elaborated that the deliberate integration of CVEinAI will position the project to influence the entire academic ecosystem and solve problems.
The Principal commended the European Union and Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF) for funding the CVEinAI project will significantly enhance the teaching and learning processes as well as research and innovation.
CVEinAI enhances the mandate of IODEL
The Co-Principal Investigator and Director of IODEL, Professor Paul Muyinda Birevu, lauded Makerere University for its visionary and bold step of setting up the Institute. Professor Muyinda Birevu highlighted that IODEL plays a central role in advancing innovative teaching methods across Makerere University to promote digital pedagogy.
“Our work at IODEL relates to researching innovative curriculum design, innovative teaching and learning methods. The CVEinAI project is one of the innovative approaches to teaching and learning,” Prof. Muyinda Birevu stated.
He explained that the CVEinAI project is one of the approaches designed to introduce new ways of learning which consider diverse cultures, perspectives and real-world contexts. “This approach allows students and lecturers to engage beyond traditional lecture rooms and interact across different environments,” he said, adding that without such innovations, learning institutions risk falling behind in a rapidly changing academic landscape.
Responding to the concerns from staff, students and stakeholders on the ethical use of AI, Professor Muyinda Birevu revealed that IODel will hold focused meetings to sensitise staff and students. He assured the participants that AI had come to stay, and it was incumbent upon each stakeholder to adapt to AI. He noted that although AI will not replace human thinking and understanding, AI will enhance the delivery methods of individuals who choose to professionally integrate AI into their work and operations.
Importance of stakeholder involvement and collaborations beyond the University
Addressing the participants, Professor Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Chairperson of MakRIF Grants Management Committee underscored the role of leadership in winning grants and successfully implementing research projects.
Professor Masagazi Masaazi emphasized the importance of stakeholder involvement, noting that impactful projects must clearly identify who benefits from their outcomes. He praised the team for positioning the initiative as a university-wide effort that involves management, staff and students.
He encouraged researchers to embrace collaborations beyond the university, highlighting that partnerships (both local and international) are key to accessing funding and expanding the reach and impact of research projects.
Chris Kaahwa contributed to this story as a Guest Writer
