PRESEC ƆDADEƐ 99 INAUGURATES NEW AI LAB DUBBED, “ƆDADEƐ 99 eXPERIENCE CENTRE”
Source: MyGraphicOnline
PRESEC Celebrates 86th Anniversary with a Focus on AI Education
The Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) has marked its 86th anniversary with a call for prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI) education in Ghana.
The event celebrated decades of academic and extracurricular excellence and featured the unveiling of a state-of-the-art AI centre, funded by the 1999 Year Group.
Academic Excellence & Achievements
Addressing the gathering, the headmaster of PRESEC, David Odjija, highlighted the school’s achievements over the past year. He noted stellar performances in the 2023 WASSCE, with 94.6% of candidates qualifying for tertiary education.
He also celebrated PRESEC’s numerous national competition victories, including top prizes in:
- STEMnovation,
- Moot Court, and
- National Public Speaking competitions.
“These accolades reflect the commitment of staff and students in upholding our legacy of excellence,” he said.
Mr. Odjija reaffirmed PRESEC’s mission to provide holistic education rooted in discipline, integrity, and academic excellence.
“We will continue to work harder to make PRESEC even better for future generations,” he stated.
He also commended key stakeholders, including the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, the PTA, and alumni, for their contributions to the school’s progress. He noted that the Presbyterian Church had donated over GH¢2 million in recent years, funding major renovations and projects.
AI in Education
Speaking on the theme “Artificial Intelligence in 21st-Century Education: Opportunities and Challenges,” guest speaker Mr. Bright Simons of Imani Africa emphasized the need to foster local AI talent and expertise.
He urged educational institutions to prioritize AI research and training, stressing the importance of a skilled workforce to sustain technological innovations.
“In a continent where we have limited resources, that is more the reason we must master AI,” he stated.
Mr. Simons highlighted the need for African nations to invest in home-grown AI solutions to drive sustainable progress.
“AI will pave our way into other technology domains,” he added, describing AI as not just a tool but a steering technology that influences advancements in various fields.
Legacy Project: AI Centre Commissioning
A key highlight of the anniversary was the commissioning of a GH¢7.1 million AI centre for the school.
The PRESEC 1999 Year Group, in partnership with the school administration and alumni president, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, unveiled the cutting-edge facility after the ceremony.
Mr. Odjija praised the 1999 alumni group for their ground-breaking initiative, calling it “unprecedented in Ghana” and a potential model for other schools.
He remarked that the centre would position PRESEC as a leader in technological education, equipping students with critical problem-solving and innovation skills essential for the modern world.
Named the Odadee 99 eXperience Center, the AI lab is the first of its kind in West Africa for a secondary school. It features:
- Advanced computing systems,
- Robotics stations,
- Design studios,
- Lecture spaces, and
- Solar-powered, eco-friendly technology.
Dr. Sarpong hailed the project as a game-changer for STEM education in Ghana, emphasizing that it reflects the year group’s commitment to driving technological and educational excellence.
A Bright Future for AI at PRESEC
With this milestone, PRESEC continues to reinforce its legacy of excellence, setting the pace for AI education in Ghana and beyond.