By Jeff Oguike
Scholars in the Humanities have been urged to rethink, redefine and reposition the discipline as a central driver of sustainable development in a technology-driven 21st century, rather than working in isolation from science, technology and other professional fields.
The call was made at the 7th International Conference of the Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), held with the theme, “Reconceptualising the Humanities for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century”.
The conference brought together scholars from universities within and outside Rivers State to examine how the Humanities can contribute more directly to national development, technological innovation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants agreed that the discipline must move beyond traditional boundaries and engage actively with contemporary global challenges.
Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, who was represented by Dr (Mrs) Matilda Wilcox, thanked the organisers of the conference but urged the erudite scholars in the Faculty of Humanities to embrace sustainable development in the 21st century by being relevant contributors to global development trends and not working in isolation, but in conjunction with other relevant professional bodies, while leveraging the availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the betterment of humanity and society.
He, however, urged scholars and researchers in the Humanities to key into the enabling environment put in place in the education sector by both the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government to boost education in the 21st century.
He also described the theme, “Reconceptualising the Humanities for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century”, as very apt, educating, timely and appropriate. He therefore wished the participants fruitful and result-oriented deliberations at the conference.
Delivering her keynote speech at the conference, Prof. Alexandra Uzoaku Esimaje of the Faculty of Arts and Education, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, noted that this year’s conference theme, “Reconceptualising the Humanities for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century”, was a wake-up call for scholars in the Humanities to rethink, reconceive, redefine and reimagine the purpose and essence of the Humanities as needed partners and core catalysts in the course of infrastructural and sustainable development in the 21st century, and not to work in isolation from other relevant professional bodies, in order to positively effect noticeable sustainable development for the advancement of humanity in the 21st century.
“Scholars in the Faculty of Humanities could certainly not afford to be passive and irrelevant in the digitised world of today’s technology or stand by as onlookers. The Humanities cannot play a major role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals except they begin to mingle with technology, and very fast too,” she said.
According to Prof. Esimaje, the structural engineer at a construction site needs the services of a historian to give an in-depth historical background of the environment; the services of a linguistics and literature expert for the proper interpretation of some construction challenges for the benefit of the common man who is not an engineer; and the services of a philosopher to intellectually question some assumptions in a sound and logical manner. All these fundamental roles played by experts and scholars in the Humanities are for the total and holistic benefit of mankind in society and humanity in general.
She, however, strongly warned against excessive dependence on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the course of research work, noting that AI is not a human being with a human brain and could therefore make fundamental mistakes that could be very costly to correct in future.
“People should endeavour to play down excessive dependence on AI for their research works,” she said.
Speaking in the same vein, Prof. Malifouz Adedimeji urged scholars in the Faculty of Humanities to stop being spectators in the sustainable development trends in today’s digitised world of the 21st century.
Prof. Adedimeji noted that it was time for scholars and experts in the Humanities to quickly move away from traditional conceptions about the Humanities, have a rethink and intentionally redefine, reconceive and positively reposition the Humanities in line with the contemporary needs of a technologically driven society.
Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako, had reminded the audience that the greatest resource bound within the walls of every university is the human mind, as well as the powerful ideas stored therein.
According to Ken-Maduako, conferences therefore become platforms for the display of the beautiful collaborative synergy of intelligent minds. Scholars often gather to invent, brainstorm, question, generate knowledge and even sometimes disagree constructively.
She said the theme of this year’s conference was timely and deeply relevant, considering the fast-changing intellectual and technology-driven world within which people dwell. The thought-provoking theme, she added, was expected to provide a convenient platform for participants to engage in scholarly dialogues and critical reflections.
Continuing, the erudite scholar noted that people now live in an era of extreme scientific and technological advancement, where AI has almost completely transformed entire systems and workplaces. Thus, the crucial question, she said, was how the Humanities could fit into all of this and remain relevant in the 21st century’s technological exploits.
She, however, suggested that this was the time for scholars in the Humanities to rethink, reconceive, redefine and reimagine the purpose of the Humanities. She urged scholars in the Humanities to interact actively with technology, Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation in order to remain relevant in today’s digitised world and not be left behind.
According to her, the Humanities must work their way into becoming the fundamental safety latches and guardrails of technological research.
However, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, represented by the Dean, Postgraduate School, Prof. Chibuzor Nwobueze, wished the participants fruitful deliberations and described the theme as a timely, educating and contemporary issue among scholars.
Lead papers at the conference were presented by Prof. Mamuloe Kofi Kodah and Prof. Pius Akhimien, while Prof. Kingdom Eke Orji gave the vote of thanks.
