IAUE Educational Psychology Department Hosts 3rd International Conference on AI and Career Adaptation

The Department of Educational Psychological, Guidance and Counselling , Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Rumuolumeni Port-Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria, held their third international conference on the theme “ Psychological Adjustment: Implications for Career Development in an Artificial intelligence World at the university auditorium.

Declaring the conference open, the Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku who was represented by the Dean Postgraduate School Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze observed that the conference would enhance the success of sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. He also noted that the guiding objectives of the conference would be to examine how psychological adjustment influence career development and adaptability in an Artificial intelligence driven world. 

Professor Onuchuku encouraged the conferees to examine the effect of artificial intelligence on career development, employment opportunities, investigate the psychological adjustment of challenges individuals face in adapting the Artificial intelligence related changes in the workplace, assess the relationship between psychological adjustment and career adaptability in an Artificial intelligence world and determine how emotional resilience, self efficacy and coping strategies influence career development in the age of Artificial intelligence identity.

He further stressed on skills and psychological competences needed for successful career development in an Artificial intelligence driven environment, explore strategies that can help individuals adjust psychologically to technical changes brought by Artificial intelligence in addition to examining the role of education, training and counselling in supporting psychological adjustment and career growth in an Artificial intelligence world.

The Vice Chancellor charged the participants to support the building of a humane and impressive university of education in terms of quality, quantity and speed and to ensure high standards in IAUE emphasing that it is a collective responsibility.

He drew the attention of the participants to the fact that no solution is viable without education and urged them to remember the conference not only for its theme but for its impact. 

The Chief Executive Officer of IAUE prayed that the conference would position IAUE as a beacon of hope and wisdom in navigating the Artificial intelligence age.

The Dean faculty of Education, Professor Livinus Ogbonda in his remarks, lauded the Department for a well captioned theme noting that the world was passing through phases that needs adjustments. 

While noting the positive impact of artificial intelligence, he called for caution in its application and wished participants well as they robbed minds in shared knowledge. 

In her speech, the Head of the Department of Educational Psychological Guidance and Counselling Professor Dorothy Chikodi Inko-Tariah noted that the theme of the conference “Psychological Adjustments: Implementation for Career Development in an Artificial intelligence world “ is timely given that we are living in an era where artificial intelligence is not just a concept but a lived reality, reshaping how we learn, work, interact and understand ourselves.

While reaffirming the Department’s commitment to fostering scholarship that is not only intellectually rigorous but socially relevant, she hoped that together , they would shape a future where technology enhances humanity and not diminishes it and where psychological well-being remains Central to career development and lifelong success.

Earlier the Chairman of the Department Conference Committee Professor Reuben Ogidi expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, a lover of scholarship for pushing forward the frontiers of knowledge and for relentlessly sponsoring conferences. 

The conference he informed would bridge the gap between psychological theory and professional practice in addition to exploring how Teachers can prepare students for the new reality and how professionals can pivot their careers without losing their mental well-being.

In her keynote address, Professor Goodnews Orluwene observed that overcoming psychological challenges resulting from career development in an Artificial intelligence world requires time, patience and psychological adjustment. 

She urged all to stay positive, be proactive and be open to adapting the needed approaches with determination and a strategic mindset so as to navigate through the challenges in an Artificial intelligence world and emerge stronger on the other side.

In his lead paper presentation, Dr Emmanuel Ikenyiri remarked that scholars cannot escape the reality of the artificial intelligence world adding that anyone and any career that fails to psychologically adjust and get integrated into the new technology world order will gradually be left out in the scheme of things.

The Head of the Department of Educational Psychological Guidance and Counselling Professor Dorothy Inko-Tariah had led members of the local organising committee and resource persons on a courtesy visit to the Registrar Dr Chinonye Abraham Ajie at his office. 

In a vote of thanks, the Head of the Department of Special Needs Education, Dr Samuel Ubani expressed gratitude to all who made the conference a huge success.