Recording of the AEIP webinar “Embedding Digital Skills into Curricula: Institutional Case Studies” (18 August 2026).

Facilitated by the Association of African Universities (AAU).

Overview

Drawing on the experience of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, this webinar explores how universities can embed digital skills across curricula and institutional processes to prepare students for evolving employment needs.

The session examines digital competencies ranging from basic literacy to advanced and discipline-specific applications. It considers how curriculum design, self-paced learning, professional certifications and responsible AI use can support skills development across different academic programmes.

KNUST’s experience also illustrates how everyday institutional processes, from student applications to graduation and alumni services—can reinforce digital learning. The discussion highlights the importance of leadership, infrastructure, faculty development and industry partnerships in building a sustainable culture of digital competence.

What You Will Learn

The webinar covers:

• Digital skills and employability: understanding why universities need to equip students with adaptable competencies for changing workplaces and everyday life.
• Levels of digital competence: distinguishing between basic, intermediate, advanced and discipline-specific skills to design appropriate learning pathways.
• Curriculum-wide integration: embedding digital competencies across academic programmes and learning activities, with opportunities for students to apply them within their disciplines.
• Institutional processes as learning opportunities: using digital applications, paperless workflows, online approvals and student services to reinforce practical skills through everyday participation.
• Self-paced digital learning: exploring how online courses and digital badges can support flexible skills development and recognise student progress.
• AI literacy and responsible use: incorporating critical thinking, ethical awareness, digital safety and an understanding of AI’s limitations into teaching and learning.
• Industry partnerships and certifications: working with technology providers to access training content, virtual laboratories and professional qualifications that complement academic learning.
• Practical learning at scale: using digital platforms and virtual labs to expand opportunities for hands-on skills development across large student populations.
• Faculty capacity building: supporting educators through training workshops, instructional design expertise and resources for developing digital teaching materials.
• Assessment in AI-enabled education: designing assessments that examine students’ reasoning, learning processes and collaboration to support understanding and academic integrity.
• Leadership and sustainable transformation: aligning institutional priorities, infrastructure investment and stakeholder engagement to sustain digital education initiatives.
• Digital alumni engagement: extending services through online transcript requests and certificate verification to support graduates beyond their studies.

Key Takeaway

Embedding digital skills requires coordinated changes to curricula, teaching, assessment and institutional processes. Students need repeated opportunities to develop and apply these competencies throughout their university experience, supported by educators who have the skills and resources to guide them.

KNUST’s experience demonstrates how digital services, flexible learning opportunities and industry partnerships can reinforce one another. With committed leadership, faculty support and responsible approaches to AI, universities can build a sustainable digital learning culture that strengthens graduate readiness across disciplines.