Towards a tech-centric future: Varsities must move beyond traditional education models. — 123rf.com
In the past, earning a university degree was the key to success. Parents often encouraged their children to pursue traditional careers like medicine, engineering or law, believing these paths guaranteed prosperity.
The world, however, has changed.
Degrees may not have expiration dates, but knowledge gained during our studies often does. As technology evolves and the digital economy grows at breakneck speed, reshaping industries, creating new ones and rendering jobs obsolete, varsities must ask themselves if they are equipping their students for the future or setting them up to fall behind.
In this landscape, technology doesn’t replace humans – it replaces humans without technological skills. Yet, many varsities still rely on outdated teaching methods, emphasising memorisation over critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability.
Creating value for society
To remain relevant, universities must move beyond traditional education models and embrace Education 4.0. Defined as a new model of education that uses digital technologies, innovative methodologies and experiential learning spaces, Education 4.0, which expands the traditional roles of education and research by embedding societal impact at its core, is tailored to meet the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It aims to develop skills aligned with current and future technological scenarios.
Education 4.0 focuses on continuous learning, adaptability, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual labs.
It emphasises active learning methodologies, such as gamification and blended learning, to make education dynamic and engaging.
Universities that embrace Education 4.0 create value for society.
These institutions are not just places for knowledge dissemination, but they are also hubs for innovation, collaboration, and solving real-world challenges.
Thus, varsities must measure their impact by how they contribute to solving societal challenges.
For instance, research should be evaluated not only by its academic citations but also by its real-world applications and societal benefits. Additionally, tertiary institutions must create open innovation ecosystems, where researchers, students, industry and governments work together to address issues like public health and economic inequality.
Future-ready universities
To prepare students for a tech-centric future, varsities must adopt Education 4.0 principles. Consider these strategies:
> Lifelong learning ecosystemDegrees must shift from being static achievements to dynamic platforms for lifelong education. Universities can offer industry-relevant and stackable certifications in high-demand areas like AI, blockchain and data analytics.
These programmes should be designed in collaboration with employers to ensure alignment with current job market needs.
It’s also good to offer subscription-based online courses, workshops and research updates while leveraging AI-driven platforms for personalised career and learning recommendations.
> Industry collaboration Universities must partner with industries to align their curricula with real-world needs.
The co-ownership of innovation labs, dual faculty roles, and project-based learning aligned with industry challenges like the IoT in agriculture is a good example.
> Teaching adaptabilityAdaptability is best learnt through experience.
Replace lectures with problem-solving tasks.
Blend disciplines like engineering and business for innovation management, incorporating case studies, design thinking and collaborative projects.
Introduce courses on managing uncertainty, fostering adaptability and emotional intelligence.
Use real-world examples and entrepreneurship-focused resilience to equip students for dynamic industries.
> Digital tech for learningEducation 4.0 is fuelled by the integration of advanced technologies into teaching. Use virtual reality to simulate complex experiments in fields like medicine, engineering and physics.
Design learning modules as interactive games to engage students and improve retention. Leverage the IoT for students to learn, collaborate and innovate seamlessly.
Call to action
The transformation of varsities into hubs of innovation, adaptability and lifelong learning is an urgent necessity. Education 4.0 offers the blueprint, but its success depends on bold leadership, collaboration and a willingness to embrace change.
By adopting these strategies, Malaysian universities can prepare students for the digital economy and also lead the charge in shaping the future of education.
The question is no longer whether they should change, but how quickly they can rise to the challenge. The time to act is now. Let’s build an education system that doesn’t just respond to the future but actively creates it.
Prof Dr Mohammad Falahat is the director of the Strategic Research Institute at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU).
With over 20 years of experience in international entrepreneurship, SME performance and education management, the Universiti Sains Malaysia Gold Medal Award recipient has secured numerous prestigious research grants. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
