UNESCO-ICHEI and Universiti Putra Malaysia Jointly Introduce the “AI+Agritechnology” Micro-Certification Programme
2026.06.16
Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, remote sensing, geospatial tools and data analysis methods are profoundly reshaping agricultural production, agricultural management and agricultural education. Developing a foundational understanding of the convergence between technology and agriculture has become essential for recognising trends in modern agriculture, expanding interdisciplinary capabilities and preparing for future career development.
In response to this need, UNESCO-ICHEI and Universiti Putra Malaysia jointly developed the “AI+Agritechnology” Micro-certification Programme, which was officially launched on 6 June 2026 during the Global Future Higher Education Summit: A New Ecosystem for AI-Driven Industry-Academia Collaborative Talent Development. As an important practice of UNESCO-ICHEI’s efforts to advance “AI+Industry” course development, the Programme follows a learning pathway from foundations to application. It covers HyFlex learning design, the principles and systems of agritechnology, smart farming and precision agriculture technologies, agricultural data analysis, agritechnology management and entrepreneurship, and agricultural programme development and evaluation. The Programme helps learners understand how digital technologies can be applied to agricultural production, management and decision-making, while developing their ability to design, implement and evaluate agritechnology programmes and apply agritechnology in educational contexts.
Prof. Ismi Arif Ismail, Professor at the Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Senior Researcher at the IIOE Malaysia National Centre, delivers a speech at the joint launch of the “AI+Agritechnology” Micro-certification Programme during the Global Future Higher Education Summit
Jointly developed by UNESCO-ICHEI and UPM, the Programme draws on UPM’s expertise in agricultural sciences, agricultural education and related applied research to develop online course resources for international learners through the IIOE platform. Through micro-certification, multilingual support and the IIOE partner network, the Programme promotes the dissemination and implementation of these courses across countries and institutions.
About the Micro-certification Programme
Following a learning journey from foundations to application, the “AI+Agritechnology” Micro-certification Programme is structured around a three-stage learning pathway. Its seven courses are organised into a progressive framework of “foundational understanding—integration of competencies—practical application”. The pathway guides learners to understand the foundations of agritechnology, develop competencies in data analysis, management and entrepreneurship, and programme development and evaluation, and apply relevant knowledge in agritechnology education and real-world settings.
The first stage, Foundation, helps learners build foundational knowledge of agritechnology, HyFlex learning design and key agricultural technologies. It consists of three courses: Designing and Organizing HyFlex Learning, Agritechnology Principle and Practice, and Technologies in Agriculture.
The second stage, Integration, focuses on combining agritechnology knowledge with competencies in data analysis, management and entrepreneurship, and programme development and evaluation. It consists of three courses: Agritechnology Management and Entrepreneurship, Agriculture Data Analysis and Interpretation, and Development and Evaluation in Agritechnology Program.
The third stage, Implementation, focuses on practical contexts in agritechnology education. It enables learners to integrate agritechnology knowledge with data analysis and programme evaluation competencies, and apply them in educational, professional and field-based settings. This stage consists of the course Application of Agritechnology Education.
A Three-Stage Learning Pathway: From Foundation to Application
At present, selected course resources have been made available on the IIOE platform. Learners may log in to IIOE and enter the “AI+Agritechnology” section to view the Programme introduction, learning pathway and available course resources. Additional course resources will be released progressively in line with the Programme’s development plan, further expanding learning opportunities in integrated competencies and practical application. Upon completing the relevant courses and assessments, learners may obtain certification jointly issued by UNESCO-ICHEI and UPM.
Course Certificate
Access the “AI+Agritechnology” section at: https://www.iioe.org/#/news/detail/bd1da794-9cf5-4fcb-b7fe-a2a5ba8bcae9/0
With agritechnology education as its entry point, the “AI+Agritechnology” Micro-certification Programme connects UPM’s professional expertise with IIOE’s platform and network, providing learners across different countries and regions with new opportunities to explore smart farming, data analysis, agritechnology management and agricultural programme practice. As additional course resources become available and localised training is progressively implemented, the Programme will further support partner institutions in strengthening their capacity for agritechnology-related teaching and talent development, while contributing to the cultivation of professionals with the interdisciplinary competencies required for the digital transformation of agriculture.
