The #ASEFInnoLab Series
In line with the Asia-Europe Foundation’s mission, we create opportunities for higher education stakeholders from Asia and Europe to meet, learn from each other, and build capacity to address common global challenges together.
We believe higher education academics and senior administrators are in a unique position to transform and modernise their higher education institutions by introducing tech-savvy, inclusive and sustainable policies that positively impact students, staff and the organisation itself.
Since 2021, ASEF has organised four editions of ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory (ASEFInnoLab). Last year we saw the implementation of its first onsite event, which was held in conjunction with the Shanghai Forum in October. To date, over 120 academics, researchers and university managers from 45 Asian and European participated in the InnoLab’s editions. 99% of them would recommend a colleague this opportunity for intellectual exchange, learning from peers, and working together on a joint output. Read about the project series here, or have a look at these videos to know more about InnoLab and its impact in enhancing dialogue on AI for the collective good:
Now on its fifth edition, ASEFInnoLab will continue its work as a design thinking laboratory for leaders, managers, and administrators of tertiary higher education institutions, with the mission to:
BUILD PARTNERSHIPS
BUILD PARTNERSHIPS
SUSTAIN NETWORKS
SUSTAIN NETWORKS
CONTRIBUTE TO POLICY
CONTRIBUTE TO POLICYMAKING
Speakers from Previous Editions
Through its four editions, the ASEFInnoLab series has invited esteemed speakers from all over the globe to talk about AI, innovation ecosystems, teaching and learning, research and industry, technology transfer, leadership, and entrepreneurship, among many other topics.
Representing various sectors and perspectives, these speakers have enriched the programme in terms of the knowledge, networks, and experience that ASEFInnoLab participants walk away with at the end of the programme.
ASEFInnoLab5: General Information
What is the topic?
For its fifth edition, ASEFInnoLab will engage participants to further enhance their “Universities’ Role in AI Innovation Ecosystems.” It will focus on three subthemes:
- AI GOVERNANCE. From Generative AI (GAI) to quantum machine learning, trends in tech innovations are shaping the future of society. This subtheme is looking at universities’ role in building capacity to ensure technology ethics, safety; to inform policymakers on social and legal governance issues of AI, as well as predict the skill needs of the future economy and workforce in Asia and Europe and globally.
- AI IN EDUCATION. Institutions of higher education play a pivotal role in realising the transformative potential of AI in education. This subtheme focuses on universities’ role in developing AI skills and content for tertiary education, formulating learning and teaching methodologies with AI, and building institutional capacity to inform policymakers and strengthen educational capabilities, resilience, and develop reliability.
- AI FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Due to the cross-cutting, encompassing nature of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the role of AI in their achievement has become an important topic of discussion as the world races to meet global sustainability targets. This subtheme focuses on universities’ role on raising awareness on AI potential for SDGs, promoting environmentally responsible AI, contributing to socio-cultural dynamics of sustainable development.
Who should join?
This project is designed for academics, researchers, and managers who spearhead AI-related activities in their institutions. We envision having about 200 participants from across Asia and Europe who meet the following criteria:
- Higher education managers, academics, researchers working with AI-related teaching, learning, research, management initiatives
- Excellent command of English (written and verbal)
- Citizens of eligible ASEF member countries
Participation is by invitation only. Those who are successfully chosen to participate will have to commit to participating in the online sessions and jointly work with colleagues from different countries on a position paper.
Participants are not required to have technical or coding skills.
#ASEFINNOLAB5 AT-A-GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE?
Online every Thursday between 02 May – 27 June 2024
Onsite in Shanghai, China on 21-25 October 2024*
WHO?
We’re looking at having 200 higher education managers, academics, and researchers with AI-related education and research portfolio.
Participation is by invitation only.
HOW?
The programme is an experiential design laboratory where interactive sessions ensure peer learning and actionable outcomes. It will have the following components:
Self-Learning Phase (4 weeks)
Team Learning Phase (5 weeks)
Onsite Event, Oct 2024*
Spin-off Activities with AE4AI Network, Oct onwards
DO I NEED TO PAY?
No, the programme is free of charge.
*For select participants only.
Programme Design
ASEFInnoLab5 is a 9-week long learning and networking programme taking place between 02 May to 27 June 2024 (online via Zoom) and on 21 to 25 October 2024 (onsite in China).
The online phase will engage an estimated 200 participants from Asia and Europe. Outstanding participants from the virtual programme along with select high-level experts will have the opportunity to join an onsite programme in China that will be organised in October in partnership with Fudan University.
Check out the latest version of our project documents below for more information on the programme of activities for the online phase and our participant cohort:
- ASEFInnoLab5 Programme of Activities (Online Phase)
- ASEFInnoLab5 Participants’ Booklet
Take a look at the components below:
In this phase, participants will expand their knowledge and exchange good practices with colleagues. They will learn from experts about the three subthemes on AI Governance, AI in Education, and AI for Sustainable Development. These weekly 2-hour interactive webinars will:
- focus on expanding participants’ knowledge and understanding of these areas;
- feature experts from leading universities and companies in the field of AI; and
- conclude with the participants joining the Shanghai Forum online (TBC).
Building on the knowledge and networks the participants acquired during the Self-Learning Phase, this phase will be the platform for participants to delve deeper and discuss more in depth one of the three sub-themes of their choice: AI Governance, AI in Education, Teaching, and Learning, and AI for Sustainable Development.
As a concrete output of these discussions, participants will work together in small groups to outline a position paper that discusses a problem related to subtheme, and proposes possible solutions and recommendations on how to enhance universities’ role in solving this problem. Position papers of appropriate quality will get published by ASEF (with a Singaporean ISBN number).
Team Learning sessions will also be held weekly for two hours and have interactive sessions.
Another round of invitations will be sent to outstanding participants from the online phases. A select cohort will join high-level experts in an onsite programme that will be hosted by Fudan University in Shanghai, China. There will be various panel discussions, site visits, cross-faculty engagements, and guest lectures. A key output of the onsite programme is an insight report focused on InnoLab5’s three subthemes.
Outcomes
Participants will complete the programme with a key combination of knowledge and new networks, which can advance their work in various ways. Have a look at the programme’s key outcomes below.
What’s next?
The ASEFInnoLab5 Team Learning Phase will come to an end soon. This will also mark the end of the project’s online phase and begin the transition to the preparations for the onsite phase in Shanghai, China. You may visit this page and our social media accounts to know more about ASEFInnoLab5’s progress as we move forward with its implementation. You can also subscribe to the ASEF Newsletter to stay updated on our work in Education!
