The QS APAC Summit 2024, which Macau University of Science and Technology hosted in early November with the support of
Lingnan University as a co-host, featured a high-profile panel discussion on the transformative impact of AI (artificial intelligence).
Leading academics were asked to consider and interpret the latest developments in the Asia-Pacific region, in particular for tertiary-level institutions as they look to enhance learning and prepare students for life in an increasingly AI-driven future.
Providing plenty of scope for debate, the theme for the session was “AI for higher education and higher education for AI”, and speakers were encouraged to draw on their personal experiences in addressing key questions.
These included what exactly universities should be teaching if students can get knowledge by themselves; how the traditional lecture room approach is changing; and whether higher education should focus less on subject areas and more on solving real-world problems.
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[Group photo: From left: Professor Wanlei Zhou, Vice Rector (Academic Affairs) and Dean of Faculty of Data Science, City University of Macau; Professor Wei Zhao, Former Rector of the University of Macau & Chair Professor of Computer Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Professor Jon Garibaldi, Provost of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China; Professor Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning, Lingnan University; Professor Yuexian Zou, Professor of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School and Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Association of Artificial Intelligence and Professor Hong Shen, Chair Professor in Higher Education and Director of the Center for Higher Education Research at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen][/caption]Leading off, Professor Jon Garibaldi, Provost of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, noted that ChatGPT can already generate answers good enough to pass student assessments, if not excel.
“We have to think carefully about how to set and mark assessments and how, as educators, we incorporate AI in the delivery of our teaching materials,” said Garibaldi, an expert in computational intelligence.
He added that AI should now be part of every curriculum, and that every student and member of the teaching staff should know how to use it.
Professor Hong Shen, Chair Professor in Higher Education and Director of the Center for Higher Education Research at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, referred to findings of a preliminary survey.
This sought feedback from 700 undergraduates at 20 universities in China, and found they already use AI for assignments, research, and in their spare time. Universities, though, have a range of policies relating to adoption and limits imposed.
“Faculty members in China are far behind students in using AI,” she said, noting there is some mistrust about the answers AI provides and possible over-dependence on what a system can generate.
According to Professor Wei Zhao, Former Rector of the University of Macau and now Provost and Chair Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, some confusion still surrounds the latest developments and where they may lead. There is anxiety about disruption, job losses, and what it may mean for society.
In his view, however, AI should be seen as nothing more than a tool, a machine that can ultimately allow us to enjoy better lives in the same way the invention of the car and the airplane did. The process of acquiring knowledge and understanding will still be vital because people want to grasp the how and why and learn for themselves, not simply be handed an answer.
Professor Wanlei Zhou, Vice-rector (Academic Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Data Science at City University of Macau, clearly explained the challenges of embedding AI in a liberal arts curriculum. The first essential was to have an overarching vision which takes full account of the needs of modern society. That led to the creation of new courses in areas like fintech, interactive design and health informatics which are vital in an intelligent service economy.
“The next step was to do more cross-disciplinary research and international collaboration,” Zhou said. “We set up a lot of research platforms for digital science people to work with those doing business, humanities, education and law, so they were no longer in diffident silos.”
For Professor Yuexian Zou, Professor of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School and Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Association of Artificial Intelligence (SAAI), there is no doubt that AI will continue to transform teaching, learning, and whole industries. Therefore, everyone must be prepared, in academia and beyond.
To follow up and expand on some of the topics discussed at the successful event in Macau, Lingnan University hosted a QS APAC Post Summit in Hong Kong on November 8. The theme for the day was “Navigating Futures – Empowering Higher Education for Social and Sustainable Impact”, allowing speakers to set out their vision, while also addressing the practicalities of achieving lasting transformation.
In her opening remarks, Jessica Turner, Chief Executive of QS, noted the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships, which help universities achieve excellence in performance, international reputation, skills, innovation, and sustainability.
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Ms Jessica Turner, Chief Executive Officer, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, delivered the Welcome Address.[/caption]
Professor S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, also highlighted the advantages of finding more opportunities to collaborate with industry, governments, and society at large in order to spur digital competencies and continuous innovation.
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Professor S. Joe Qin, President, Lingnan University, delivered the Commencement Speech.[/caption]
The keynote speech for the morning session was delivered by Professor Richard Walker, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Government and International Affairs, as well as Director of the Lingnan University Institute of Advanced Study (LUIAS). He focused on the social impact of university rankings and how they are perceived.
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Professor Richard M. Walker, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Government and International Affairs, Director of the Lingnan University Institute for Advanced Study, Lingnan University, delivered the keynote talk.[/caption]
In many cases, they have a direct effect on educational policy, research funding, institutional behaviour, and student recruitment. Walker outlined principles of performance management, measures of quality, data sources, effectiveness, and the need to take account of different stakeholders.
The subsequent panel discussion examined the broader implications of ranking systems. In particular, it considered whether such metrics enhance the quality of education or, conversely, cause institutions to lose focus in the quest for higher placings.
The Post Summit’s afternoon session featured a keynote speech by Professor Chen Xi, Chair Professor and Dean of Lingnan University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS). Taking the theme of “Higher Education for Sustainability”, he emphasised that universities can and must play a leading role in finding solutions to the known range of problems. This can be done through academic programmes, research initiatives, campus operations, and community engagement.
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Prof Chen Xi, Chair Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Dean of School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Lingnan University, delivered the keynote talk.[/caption]
With an interdisciplinary approach and applying the latest technologies, much is possible. Universities can show the way on issues relating to climate change, carbon neutrality, environmental protection, and green industry. And joint research projects can make steady progress towards ambitious long-term goals like integrating the carbon, energy and water cycles from a multidimensional perspective.
