Linking global efforts in tech
THE recent fourth annual Bett Asia Leadership Summit & Expo in Kuala Lumpur brought together more than 1,700 policy-makers, leaders and experts from over 40 countries to discuss the transformation of education and to discover the innovation that would inspire change.
The two-day event, themed “Cultivating Global Collaboration in Education,” opened with a timely ministerial panel discussion on ASEAN collaboration and moving towards a 21st century model for education.
Esteemed panelists included Ofsted former chief inspector of schools and GEMS Education’s Education Strategy senior advisor Sir Michael Wilshaw; Laos Education and Sports minister Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun; Thailand Education vice-minister Dr. Sophon Napathorn; and Indonesia Research, Technology and Higher Education directorate general Professor Dr. Paulina Pannen.
Throughout the empowering discussion, the panelists reflected on ASEAN’s past successes and shared their outlook on the Work Plan on Education 2016-2020, designed to unify collaborative efforts on education and develop a coordinated ASEAN position on global education issues.
Microsoft USA Worldwide Education vicepresident Anthony Salcito also took the stage and spoke on ‘Digital Transformation in Learning’.
His session shared how technology would power the future of personalised and predictive learning environments and empower educators and schools to shift the dynamics of the traditional school and classroom.
“Technology has changed the way we all learn. Our schools and learning environments have greater potential to empower every student to learn at their own pace, in their own way, with insights driving a more personal connection.
“The era of automation is winding down, the time for true transformation is upon us,” he said.
The summit saw the latest trends, challenges and advancements in education and technology addressed, with a distinct focus on Asia.
A newly introduced series of roundtable discussions allowed participants to deep-dive into the most pressing issues in the minds of education leaders in the region.
From ‘graduate-preparedness’ to the ‘future of assessment’, these focused discussion groups ensured they leave with an agenda for action.
Microsoft Asia Pacific Education director Don Carlson said digital disruption has resulted in a shift in how work is being approached and conducted, and it is important that education institutions transformed in order to equip students with future-ready skills, such as honing their creativity and critical thinking capabilities.
“We believe this involves transformation in four key pillars — empowering faculty and non-teaching employees, engaging students, optimising institutions and transforming learning with data and the cloud being the key enablers,” said Carlson.
Meanwhile, the Bett Asia Expo also includes access to more than 20 hours of presentations, practical demonstrations and hands-on teacher training from over 30 speakers.
Over 60 pioneering companies from across the globe offered visitors the opportunity to test cutting edge products, gain valuable tips and tricks and build connections with other educators.
Themed, “Learn Live”, a seminar theatre within the expo addressed the most pressing questions in the minds of educators as the digital age advances in Asia.
The content was curated to inspire educators and school leaders with best practice from all over the region which included case studies, panel debates, specialised demonstrations and practical sessions on innovative pedagogies, STEM education, coding and more.
On the second day of the event, a higher education ministerial roundtable session was held with the topic of discussion “Industry holds the key: A look into how greater collaboration between higher education and vocational institutions and companies could unlock the secret to graduate employment.”
The session, targeted at government and C-suite leaders of education institutions, was co-chaired by Higher Education minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Microsoft Malaysia managing director K. Raman.
The takeaway today is that the academia and the industry should be seen as one and not separated.
IDRIS JUSOH
Higher Education minister
Participants delved into three main areas: benefits of early student involvement with internships, work experiences and social entrepreneurship; whether it is an institution’s responsibility to build industry relationships; and the role of national qualifications frameworks in promoting the relationship between industry and education institutions.
In rounding up the discussion, Idris said it is important that the academia and the industry work together collectively for the future generation going forward.
“The take-away today is that the academia and the industry should be seen as one and not separated. In the development of curriculum, I am propagating the floating curriculum where 30 per cent can be a portion that comprises what the industry brings in and therefore can be modified as and when needed,” he said.
“The effectiveness of learning in doing is 70 per cent. Therefore, the need for 2u2i (two years at university and two years in the industry), internship, etc. Hence, the need to redesign education, how we do things and how we conduct teaching and learning as well as facilitate multidiscipline learning so that we become relevant to industries, government and the kids who go to university,” he added.