A revolutionary approach
NO sooner have we come to terms with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) that we are now confronted with talk of a fifth one (IR 5.0).
While IR 4.0 is focused on digitalisation and automation through the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber-physical systems and quantum computing, there is speculation that IR 5.0 will be centred on human synergies with robots and artificial intelligence to create opportunities for mass customisation, ensuring that the “human touch” is not lost.
Now that change is happening so rapidly with two revolutions possibly occurring at the same time, it is time that schools rethink their purpose and approach to ensure that the next generation is equipped with
the mental and psychological skill sets required to keep pace in this fast-evolving world.
“The dawn of the IR 4.0 and 5.0 has led to a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world,” says Dr Goh Chee Leong, chief executive officer of HELP International School.
“Therefore, the challenge for educators is to prepare students for a world that does not yet exist, which we won’t be able to predict or fully understand.”
According to him, the focus of education should be less about acquiring knowledge and more about sharpening and honing minds as it will help them understand and adapt to any environment.
“An agile and imaginative mind is the most potent tool that students can use to succeed and thrive in IR 4.0 and 5.0,” says Dr Goh.
With machines taking over more and more complex functions, many professions will be replaced with artificial intelligence.
“The key is to develop skills that are still uniquely human such as creativity, adaptability, mental fluidity, resilience and empathy that are often overlooked in entrepreneurship and innovation,” adds Dr Goh.
It is apparent that today’s youth cannot afford to rely on their ability to regurgitate bookish knowledge and must instead demonstrate their ability to generate original ideas.
With this in mind, HELP International School has come up with an education model that focuses on nine areas – intellectual, physical, emotional, leadership, social, creative, moral, career and technological development.
The emphasis the school places on all-round development is apparent from how it regards the arts. There is much focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but the school integrates the arts into its curriculum as evident in events such as its annual STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) week.
Design and technology, culinary arts, drama and music are all very much part of the curriculum at HELP International School.
It is expected that soon, people will be required to switch between industries more than twice or thrice in their lifetime, according to Dr Goh.
Therefore, HELP International School approaches career counselling in a unique way.
He explains, “Career counselling traditionally involved pointing students in the direction of one profession based on their interests and strengths.
“This is a very static and rigid way of looking at career pathing and is becoming invalid in a VUCA environment, so we are now encouraging students to think about a broader life mission that acts as a ‘life compass’.
“This approach enables them to track multiple pathways to their goal so that they are not only agile in moving across industries but can find meaning and significance in each position.”
The future is unpredictable and, with the current industrial revolutions, life as we know it will change drastically. The best way to prepare our children to face this ever-changing reality is to choose a school that will help them embrace the uncertainty and equip them to enjoy the adventure.
For more information, call 03-7809 7000, e-mail enquiry@kl.his.edu.my or visit www.his.edu.my