In early 2023, Beijing Normal University will establish the AIED Chair to promote research, training, and information sharing of information technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in the education sector. The chair’s main objectives include fostering collaboration between Beijing Normal University and distinguished researchers and teaching staff from prestigious universities and institutions worldwide.
The Training Workshop on Vocational Education and Digital Technology Applications was attended by more than 50 participants from eight Southeast Asian countries, China and beyond. The event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests such as Prof. CHEN Guangju , Vice President of Beijing Normal University Alumni Association and former Vice President of Beijing Normal University, Dr. Songheang Ai, Director of SEAMEO TED, Prof. WANG Libing, Director a.i., Chief of Section for Educational Innovation and Skills Development (EISD), UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, and Prof. WU Maqun, former Dean of Beijing Information Vocational and Technical College. The workshop was moderated by Associate Professor ZHUANG Rongxia and Assistant Researcher WANG Huanhuan, both from Beijing Normal University. The event included keynote speeches, case presentations, round table discussions, and a call for cooperation initiatives.
At the workshop, Prof. CHEN Guangju of Beijing Normal University and Dr. Songheang Ai, Director of the SEAMEO TED, delivered welcome speeches. They both emphasized the importance of international exchanges and cooperation in promoting vocational education. They expressed their desire to share practical technologies and experiences through extensive and in-depth cooperation among education departments, universities, and enterprises across various countries. This, they believe, will expand international exchanges and improve the teaching level of vocational education, ultimately contributing to the promotion of economic development and industrial transformation in China and Southeast Asian countries. During the workshop, Beijing Normal University and the SEAMEO TED signed a memorandum of understanding to continue promoting and deepening research, exchanges, and cooperation in the field of vocational education between China and Southeast Asian countries.
During the keynote speech session, scholars and private sector parteners gathered to discuss the current state and future trends of vocational education. This esteemed platform allowed for valuable insights to be shared on how digital technology can enhance education quality, cater to diverse student needs, and facilitate vocational education transformation. Esteemed speakers included Prof. Wang Libing, Acting Director of the UNESCO Bangkok Multi-sector Regional Office, Prof. Daniel Burgos, Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair on e-learning, Prof. WU Maqun, Prof. Vinayagum Chinapah at Stockholm University, Dr. CHEN Wenxuan, Assistant Researcher at Zhijiang Laboratory, Prof. Neil Selwyn at Monash University, Dr. BAI Bin, Deputy Director of the Institute for Vocational and Continuing Education Research at Beijing Normal University, Dr. ZHANGJinbao, Assistant Dean of the Science Education Research Institute at Beijing Normal University, and Ms. KUAI Hongyan, Director of the Design and Learning Laboratory at the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University. The exchange of ideas between these experts made for an insightful session on the future of vocational education.
During the case study presentation, representatives from various enterprises shared insightful case studies that demonstrated the ways digital technology can be employed to advance vocational technical education and training. They highlighted how technologies such as artificial intelligence can be leveraged to enhance learning outcomes and increase employment prospects for students. The use of interactive training and evaluation systems, which utilize ubiquitous multimodal technology, was also discussed as an effective way for students to master professional skills. Furthermore, the group discussed the use of artificial intelligence and virtual simulation to cultivate high-quality skills for skilled personnel.
In the panel discussion, participants from China and eight Southeast Asian countries gathered to discuss the challenges currently faced by vocational education development in Southeast Asia’s digital age. During this discussion, participants identified various issues, including inadequate infrastructure hindering quality teaching, course content that doesn’t align with job market needs, and difficulty in finding employment for graduates. The group also noted a shortage of capable teachers and a lack of sufficient opportunities for vocational and technical education and training. To tackle these challenges, participants shared examples of how information and digital technology can be effectively employed to promote the development of vocational and technical education and training. Upon the conclusion of the workshop, the UNESCO Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Education extended a collaborative invitation to stakeholders from Southeast Asian countries, China, and global vocational and technical education and training. The proposal aims to establish a social experiment community that focuses on AI education applications. The primary objective of this initiative is to explore and research the integration of new technologies in educational scenarios on a global scale. Ultimately, this will lead to an improvement in teaching quality for all students.
(By Dr. QI Xinjian, Dr. WANG Huanhuan, Mr. YAO Youjie)