Enhancement of AI Proficiency in the Higher Education Workforce

Session II was chaired by Dr. ARIUNAA Enkhtur, Associate Professor at University of Osaka in Japan.

Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, emphasised that the rapid pace of technological change is creating an urgent need for upskilling and reskilling among higher education professionals. She highlighted how IIOE supports the development of a diversified and collaborative global education ecosystem through its systematic digital and AI competency courses and the Micro-Certification Project, which enhances educators' digital competencies worldwide.

Dr. ARIUNBOLOR Davaa, Professor at the Open Education Institute of MUST, shared Mongolia's experience in implementing the Micro-Certification Project. The initiative adopts a three-phase cascade model that enables localised course delivery and large-scale faculty training, significantly strengthening AI teaching capacities in higher education and contributing to knowledge sharing across the IIOE network.

Prof. HUANG Hua, Vice President of Nanjing Polytechnic Institute in China, presented her institution's "1-3-4" practice framework—One Collaborative Solution, Three Smart Platforms, and Four Strategic Actions. She emphasised building a solid foundation for enhancing teachers' digital literacy through the three smart education platforms, and driving the digital transformation and capacity enhancement of the teaching faculty in a systematic way. The four strategic actions—Cultivate AI Mindsets, Strengthen AI Tools, Build AI Platforms, and Embed AI Content—aim to empower educators at multiple levels with AI competencies.

Dr. FIELARDH Khalifatulloh, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education at Okayama University in Japan, stressed the importance of providing AI literacy training to university faculty. He elaborated on the layered governance model promoted by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), which balances national guidance with institutional autonomy to build AI implementation pathways that are forward-looking, ethically grounded, and competency-based.

, introduced the newly released report titled Digital Leap in East Asia: A Regional Synthesis on Higher Education Transformation. The report calls on countries to place digital transformation at the heart of socio-economic development, ensure equitable access to digital resources, strengthen training in digital innovation, deepen academia–industry collaboration, and emphasise ethical considerations in AI deployment. It advocates nationally standardised systems and robust interdepartmental and international cooperation to jointly shape a more resilient and inclusive future for higher education in East Asia.

  Advancing Learning and Innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Session IV was chaired by Ms. TUNGALAG Chimid, Executive Director, Vocational Education and Training Partnership (UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre in Mongolia).

Dr. PARK Hwa Choon, Director of the Center for International Cooperation at the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training in Republic of Korea, shared Korea's AI-driven TVET innovation practices, particularly highlighting the "K-Digital Training" programme that provides AI skills training for both youth and mid-career job seekers. Dr. PARK particularly emphasised that multi-stakeholder collaboration is key to promoting the global alignment of AI and TVET in terms of policy, ethics, and practice.

Ms. BAYARMAA Tsogtbaatar, Director of the Institute of Engineering and Technology of Mongolia, presented her institution's experiences and challenges in applying AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and AutoCAD AI plugins in teaching. She showcased significant achievements from the use of AI-based virtual labs for electrical systems and other AI tools in the classroom. She noted that partnerships with domestic and international enterprises and higher education institutions have not only facilitated better alignment between curricula and industry needs but also supported the development of a more inclusive and sustainable digital TVET ecosystem.

Relevant China's vocational education stakeholders education sector also shared a range of innovative outcomes.

Mr. WANG Mingzhe, Director of the Academic Affairs Office and Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Caofeidian College of Technology in China, introduced practical cases where the Superstar Generative AI platform and virtual simulation training platforms were leveraged to enhance teaching efficiency.

Ms. WANG Yufei, Assistant to President and Head of Overseas Business Department at Jiangxi KMAX Industrial Co. Ltd. in China, focused on the application results of the "AI + VR Culinary Education System" and the "AI Artisan Assistant" platform in higher education institutions. She emphasised that transforming industry knowledge into standardised technical models is a key pathway for the dissemination of innovative outcomes.

The demonstration built a communication platform for the regional industry-academia parties and provided new ideas for promoting the deep AI integration into higher education.

Closing Remarks

The dialogue concluded with closing remarks from representatives of the three co-organising institutions. Dr. CHOI Mee Young, Chief of Education at the UNESCO Beijing Office, delivered heartfelt appreciation to all participants, organisers, and supporting institutions, with special recognition for the speakers' insights. She challenged attendees to continue reflecting on the fundamental question: "What is AI transformation?" Dr. Choi emphasised that while international organisations, governments, universities, and enterprises each bring unique strengths to regional AI transformation, success depends on their close collaboration. She issued a strong call for continued strengthening of international cooperation in this vital area.

Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, thanked speakers and participants for sharing policy insights and best practices on integrating AI with higher education. She stated that UNESCO-ICHEI will continue to promote the practical application of AI technology in higher education through hosting conferences and publishing reports to facilitate experience exchange and knowledge sharing. She looks forward to the emergence of more innovative practices integrating AI with higher education in the future, working together to advance the process of educational digital transformation.

Mr. BOLDSAIKHAN Sambuu, Secretary-General of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, expressed gratitude to UNESCO and UNESCO-ICHEI for their coordination efforts. He noted that the dialogue successfully showcased Mongolia's growing influence in the region's digital transformation landscape and reaffirmed the country's commitment to enhancing digital literacy and capacity building within higher education institutions. Mr. Boldsaikhan emphasised his anticipation for future exchanges, joint research initiatives, and collaborative projects.

This Policy Dialogue served as a catalyst for bringing together diverse stakeholders across East Asia's higher and vocational education sectors to unlock new possibilities for AI technology implementation. Through multilateral policy discussions and practice-sharing mechanisms, participants explored cutting-edge application scenarios and identified development potential for AI transformation across the region. Looking ahead, UNESCO-ICHEI will deepen its multilateral collaboration with East Asia and beyond to empower higher education institution professionals through the IIOE Micro-Certification Project for Enhancing Digital and AI Competencies of University Teachers, promote continuous upskilling and reskilling initiatives, and contribute to the digital transformation of higher education.