AFRETEC Summer School Sparks Call for Sustainability-focused Computing Education

Experts from Africa and Europe have called for sustainability to be integrated across computer science and software engineering curricula, warning that universities risk producing graduates ill-equipped to develop environmentally responsible digital technologies if the subject remains optional.

The call emerged from the third Green and Sustainable Software Engineering Summer School hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and supported by the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC).

The programme drew participant from academics, researchers, industry experts and students to examine how software systems can be designed, deployed and maintained with lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.

Sustainability at the heart of digital innovation

Opening the five-day programme, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola said responsible software development has become increasingly important as digital technologies continue to expand.

Represented by the Director of Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Abimbola Sowemimo, the VC noted that participants would be exposed to the principles of green software engineering, sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, alongside practical training on building energy-efficient applications.

A group picture of participants at the Summer School

The Head of UNILAG’s Department of Computer Science, Professor Chika Yinka-Banjo, said the conversation around technology was evolving beyond innovation alone.

“That is where research has moved to, from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where we got technology working for us and aiding us, to the Fifth Industrial Revolution, which focuses on how to sustain what we have built. That is why this training is apt at this time,” she said.

AFRETEC Network Coordinator at UNILAG, Professor Ismail Ibraheem, said the summer school reflects the network’s broader vision of ensuring that technology serves society.

He explained that AFRETEC, which is supported by the Mastercard Foundation and coordinated by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, brings together universities across the continent to drive research, digital learning, societal impact and inclusion.

According to him, the programme, organised in partnership with the Software Engineering Consortium, attracted participants and facilitators from Africa, Europe, Asia and South America.

Experts warn against neglecting software fundamentals

A facilitator and Research Software Engineer at the University of Limerick, Ireland, Collins Venter, said software architecture remains the foundation of sustainable software engineering, particularly as modern technologies become increasingly complex.

He noted that software systems often become difficult to maintain when developers are unable to understand how components interact or when modifications in one area create unintended consequences elsewhere.

While acknowledging the growing role of AI in software development, Venter warned against overreliance on AI-generated code.

“Developers still need to understand the logic behind the code they produce. Otherwise, we could be heading towards a software crisis in the coming years,” he said.

Another facilitator for summer school and Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Birgit Penzenstadler, argued that sustainability should be embedded throughout computing education rather than taught as a standalone course.

“Many companies are looking for graduates with sustainability competencies, but they struggle to find them because these skills are rarely taught comprehensively in degree programmes,” she said.

Penzenstadler also urged African developers to draw inspiration from local realities when developing AI solutions, arguing that the continent has an opportunity to build smaller, specialised language models tailored to its unique needs.

Building the next generation of sustainable innovators

The Head of Cybersecurity and Software Engineering at UNILAG, Associate Professor Nureni Azeez, said the summer school creates opportunities for collaboration among researchers while strengthening ties between academia and industry.

He disclosed that the department is pursuing partnerships that will further connect software engineering training with industry needs and international research networks.

The Convener of the programme, Associate Professor Adewole Rufai said participants were being encouraged to design software products that minimise carbon footprints and adopt environmentally conscious practices, including the use of renewable energy-powered cloud infrastructure.

Co-convener of the summer school, Professor Ipinnimo Oluwafemi, also added that the initiative has already helped nurture entrepreneurs and innovators while raising awareness about the environmental impact of software and digital devices, including electronic waste.

Students who participated in the programme said it had reshaped their understanding of software development.

Olajire Michael, a Mechatronics Engineering student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), said the training encouraged her to think beyond immediate users and consider how software systems can remain useful over the long term.

A Biomedical Engineering student at UNILAG said one of his key takeaways was the importance of establishing a clear system architecture before writing code, adding that sustainable software should be adaptable, resilient and capable of delivering value for years to come.

Organisers revealed that lessons from previous editions of the programme have contributed to the development of a Software Engineering for Green Deal Master’s programme at UNILAG, which is expected to admit its first cohort next year.