GAU holds seminar on ‘generative AI and future of assessment’

GAZIPUR, Oct 1: A seminar titled “Generative AI and Summative Assessment: Mapping the Institutional Response and Students’ Practices and Perceptions” was held at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) on Wednesday, focusing on how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping learning, knowledge practices and student assessment.

Organised by the GAU’s Outreach Centre, the seminar began at 2 pm at the university’s Old Auditorium with GAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman as the chief guest, while Treasurer Prof Dr Md Safiul Islam Afrad was present as the special guest.

Md Saifuddin Khalid, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Statistics and Data Analysis at the Technical University of Denmark, delivered the keynote presentation. Prof Dr Farhana Yeasmin, Director of the Outreach Centre, chaired the event, which was moderated by Prof Dr Md Mamunur Rahman, Associate Director of the Centre for Outreach. Faculty members and students from various disciplines attended.

In his keynote, Md Saifuddin Khalid discussed the growing use of generative AI, its impact on students’ learning practices and the challenges and opportunities it presents for conventional assessment systems. He said AI should be viewed not only as a technological development but also as part of the changing landscape of education and knowledge.

An open question-and-answer session followed, with teachers and students raising issues related to AI use, academic integrity, assessment of students’ skills and the future of evaluation.

Speaking as the chief guest, Rahman said AI should not be viewed as a substitute for human intelligence but as a powerful tool to extend human thinking. He stressed the need to embrace technologies such as AI to keep pace with developed countries in an increasingly competitive world.

“Instead of fearing AI or keeping it away from education, we must learn how to turn it into a supportive force for knowledge, research and creativity,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman Rahman said GAU would continue to embrace technological changes responsibly and work toward building a future-oriented, skills-based and human-centred learning environment. The seminar concluded with closing remarks from the chair.