Professor Matthew Montebello is Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta, specialising in the application of AI to e learning. An international academic collaborator with the University of Illinois, he has pioneered innovative Virtual Learning Environments and led research on Generative AI in higher education. With extensive experience in computer science and education, he is recognised as a leading scholar shaping AI integration, digital learning, and academic development.

This paper examines how structured academic training can support the meaningful integration of Generative AI in higher education. Drawing on workshops at the University of Malta, it presents strategies for using GenAI ethically in teaching, assessment, and research. The study positions educators as critical users and co creators of AI enhanced practices, showing how such initiatives foster innovation, collaboration, and policy development while aligning technology with educational values.