The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) was honoured to be invited in the Global Smart Education Conference, held in Beijing, China, organised by the Beijing Normal University, showcasing its commitment to promoting educational innovation across Asia and Europe. This prestigious event, which convened global thought leaders, educators, and technology experts, served as a platform for ASEF to share its perspectives on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, particularly in the context of fostering innovation and collaboration between Asia and Europe. Over 1000 participants from China and abroad joined the conference.
Joining the conference was an important platform for ASEF to share its ASEFClassNet project’s insights and impact that bridge the digital divide and foster smart education practices among secondary and vocational education stakeholders.
ASEF was specially invited to present during the Forum on AI and the Future of Teaching, a focal segment of the Global Smart Education Conference. This forum explored the profound implications of AI on teaching practices and policies, highlighting how emerging technologies can be leveraged to improve educational outcomes by empowering teachers. During this forum, ASEF focused on ASEFClassNet’s key activities that align with the conference’s theme of leveraging technology to enhance education.
Ms Jyoti Rahaman, (Education Innovation Lead, Education Department, ASEF) spoke during the conference at the Forum on AI and the Future of Teaching on Tuesday, 20 August 2024. In her speech on “Smart Education in the Era of AI: Empowering Teachers and Teacher Trainers through Peer-to-Peer Collaboration, she highlighted the pivotal role ASEF plays to empower teachers and teacher trainers, especially in the context of the rapid technological advancements such as AI that are reshaping how education is delivered and received.
She particularly introduced the conference’s audience to ASEF’s innovative peer-to-peer collaboration that creates an environment for educators to learn from each other and improve their professional capacity.
During the conference, Ms Rahaman also represented ASEF and the ASEFClassNet team in a partnership meeting with Professor Ronghuai HUANG (UNESCO Chair for AI in Education and Dean of Smart Learning Institute at the Beijing Normal University) to discuss the preparation and hosting of the ASEFClassNet18 Conference.
Looking forward, ASEF is poised to expand its efforts in promoting smart education. The foundation plans to implement the ASEFClassNet18 Conference in Beijing, China that focuses on Ethical and Inclusive AIED Design. ASEF hopes that this new project series will further bridge the gap between digital advancements and educational practices, ensuring that all learners, regardless of their geographic location, have access to quality education.
ASEF’s Education Department’s participation in the Forum on AI and the Future of Education during the Global Smart Education Conference has reinforced its leadership in the domain of educational innovation. The foundation’s insights into AI’s role in education were well-received, sparking meaningful discussions on how to support teachers and teacher trainers in the era of AI.