In Cameroon, access to further education and career guidance is a significant challenge for many students. Frédéric Ngaba, a researcher with a PhD in mathematics, developed an AI platform named OSIA to fill this gap. This innovative tool aims to provide better academic and career guidance tailored to the needs of Cameroonian students.
OSIA offers a virtual tutor trained on the local education system, allowing students to interact in 20 different languages. It features over 400 exam-type questions and enables students to assess their grades and aspirations. Furthermore, by taking a psychometric test, students can uncover hidden talents that help them in their academic journeys.
While Ngaba emphasizes that OSIA complements the work of human counsellors, others have raised concerns about the lack of personalized interaction that AI cannot provide. The platform has received support from various organizations and has quickly gained a subscription base, with plans for future expansion to increase its impact on education.
Difficult words
- guidance — Advice or help with decisions.
- innovative — New and original ideas or methods.
- platform — A system or technology that supports activities.
- psychometric — Related to measuring mental abilities.
- emphasizes — Stresses or highlights something important.
- aspirations — Goals or strong desires for achievement.
- counsellors — People who provide advice and support.
- interaction — Communication or exchange between people.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What do you think about the use of AI in education?
- How might platforms like OSIA change the future of learning?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in guidance?
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