On 9 September 2026, the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) and the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office (UNESCO Almaty) jointly held the online launch event for the Russian-language version of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) micro-certification course "AI + Education: Ushering in a New Era of Education". The event drew registrations from nearly 2,000 members of the higher education workforce in more than 40 countries and regions, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova, reflecting the strong interest across the region in the integration of artificial intelligence and education.
The online launch event for the Russian-language version of the IIOE micro-certification course "AI + Education: Ushering in a New Era of Education"
In his opening remarks, Mr. Nurbek Teleshaliev, Education Specialist at UNESCO Almaty, noted that the application of artificial intelligence in higher education should uphold the principle of a human-centred approach, ensuring that technological innovation serves the mission of education and advances the well-being of learners. He stressed that enabling university teachers and researchers to understand and practise a responsible approach to artificial intelligence is key to achieving innovation and sustainable development in the region's education systems. He expressed the hope that universities in Central Asia and neighbouring countries would continue to benefit from the high-quality course resources offered through the IIOE.
Mr. Nurbek Teleshaliev, Education Specialist at UNESCO Almaty
Mr. SIT Fung, Assistant Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Chief of the Global Partnership and Programme Office, said in his remarks that the launch of the Russian-language version was an important measure in the two organisations' shared efforts to help educators, universities and policymakers adapt to the age of artificial intelligence. Drawing on the global network of the IIOE, UNESCO-ICHEI will continue to support the higher education workforce in countries of the Global South in strengthening their digital and AI competencies, promote equity in education and the sharing of quality resources, and advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education.
Mr. SIT Fung, Assistant Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Chief of the Global Partnership and Programme Office
"AI + Education: Ushering in a New Era of Education" is delivered by Professor Jimmy Liu, Chair Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), who gave a systematic presentation of the overall design concept of the course at the launch event. Built around the core framework of Educational Intelligence (EI), the course comprises six sections addressing five key areas in which artificial intelligence intersects with education: pedagogical theory, curriculum development, textbook content management, teaching practice, and the evaluation of learning outcomes. Professor LIU emphasised that the course is designed to help learners understand how artificial intelligence is reshaping the design of education, optimising the allocation of teaching resources, and driving equity and innovation in education.
Professor Jimmy Liu, Chair Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)
Drawing on Professor Liu's research in educational intelligence and interdisciplinary teaching, the course provides a systematic learning pathway for education practitioners worldwide. The Russian-language version is now available on the IIOE platform, free of charge to learners in Central Asia and neighbouring countries.
The Russian-Language Version of the IIOE "AI + Education: Ushering in a New Era of Education" Course (Click the image to register)
Looking ahead, UNESCO-ICHEI will continue to draw on the IIOE platform to provide countries of the Global South with more high-quality course resources and capacity building support, helping countries attain inclusive and sustainable education goals amid the digital transformation of education and in the age of artificial intelligence, and advancing the implementation of the Education 2030 Agenda.
