CCTU hosts landmark training on responsible use of Generative AI for academic writing

The Department of Civil Engineering at Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) has hosted a high-impact academic training on “Generative AI for Academic Writing: Building Ethical and Responsible AI-Assisted Research Workflows.”

The virtual event, which drew participation from over 100 students across engineering disciplines, lecturers and researchers, aimed at equipping future engineers with practical AI skills needed for modern research and academic writing.

The webinar was facilitated by Emmanuel Otoo, a UK-based AI & ML Engineer who happens to also be a network member at GLG Insights (UK). The session delivered hands-on demonstrations and practical examples of how generative AI tools are reshaping academic workflows around the world.

A strategic response to the rise of AI in education

Opening the session, the Head of the Civil Engineering Department, Ing. Dr. Gabriel Amissah reaffirmed the university’s commitment to preparing students for the demands of an emerging digital world. He noted that AI technologies are transforming research in unprecedented ways and that institutions like CCTU must actively integrate these skills into engineering education.

Also present was Dr. Micah Edu-Buandoh, a distinguished academic and senior lecturer at the Cape Coast Technical University, whose participation highlighted growing national interest in ethical AI adoption within academia.

Practical training on emerging research tools

Throughout the training, students were guided through a wide ecosystem of AI tools that support academic writing, including semantic search engines, visual literature mapping tools, academic reading assistants, and zero-draft writing tools. The facilitator introduced global research platforms such as SciSpace, Elicit, Consensus, Scite, Research Rabbit, Litmaps, Inciteful, Scholarcy, NotebookLM, and Gemini—tools now widely used across universities and research labs worldwide.

The session explored how engineering students can generate and refine research ideas, identify research gaps, streamline literature searches, and organise themes across multiple papers using AI-powered workflows. Students were also shown how to structure academic arguments, write early drafts, and use AI for mock peer review ahead of submissions.

Emphasis on ethics, integrity, and responsible AI use

A significant aspect of the webinar was the emphasis on academic integrity. Emmanuel Otoo stressed the importance of verifying AI-generated information, maintaining originality, and ensuring that AI remains a supportive tool rather than a substitute for critical thinking. He encouraged students to adopt transparent and responsible practices in line with global academic standards.

Student feedback and institutional impact

Participants described the webinar as practical, timely, and relevant to current academic challenges. Several noted that literature review, research question development, and academic reading have historically been sources of difficulty—areas the training directly addressed with accessible AI solutions.

The Department of Civil Engineering emphasised that the webinar is part of a larger digital skills transformation agenda at CCTU, aimed at positioning its engineering students for both academic success and global competitiveness.

About the Facilitator

Emmanuel Otoo is an AI & ML Engineer who also happens to be a network member with GLG Insights (UK), specialising in AI adoption and digital transformation. He has delivered consulting and research support for universities, international organisations, and government agencies, and is recognised for his work in applying ethical AI to organisations and research.

The post CCTU hosts landmark training on responsible use of Generative AI for academic writing appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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