2024 at a Glance: UNESCO-ICHEI Milestones
Introduction
Flipping through the calendar of 2024, every page records our collective efforts toward educational innovation. Over the past year, we have not only witnessed breakthroughs in emerging technologies but also deeply felt the transformative power of education in the wave of technological advancements. The International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) has upheld its mission to promote the digital transformation of higher education and has continuously strengthened its in-depth collaboration with global partners. This article will review the achievements of UNESCO-ICHEI in 2024. It aims to showcase the successful experiences and best practices of UNESCO-ICHEI and its partners in the journey of digital transformation, providing inspiration and references for the innovative development of global higher education in the future.
Content:
2024 Highlights: Empowering Higher Education Workforce and Advancing High-Level Policy Dialogues
Building International Platforms to Foster Global Exchange and Collaboration
Expansion of the IIOE Ecosystem: Strengthening the Global Partnership Network
IIOE Platform Upgrade: Micro-Certification and AI Courses Driving Teacher Capacity Building
Smart Classrooms Empowering Global HEIs: Industry-Academia Collaboration Driving Digital Transformation
Knowledge Production and Policy Research: Exploring Higher Education Innovation in the AI Era
Looking Ahead to 2025: Strengthening Global Cooperation and Advancing Sustainable Higher Education
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2024 Highlights: Empowering Higher Education Workforce and Advancing High-Level Policy Dialogues
On September 6, 2024, the China-Africa-UNESCO High-Level Dialogue on Cooperation in Education and Cultural Heritage Protection was successfully held in Beijing, China. Mr. DING Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. HUAI Jinpeng, Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China, and Ms. Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education of UNESCO, attended the event and gave their remarks. At the event, Professor JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Vice President of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), delivered a thematic report titled Strengthening China-Africa Cooperation through Digital Empowerment in Higher Education. He emphasized that UNESCO-ICHEI, leveraging its global partner network, will deepen collaboration in areas such as empowering African women in higher education, developing related policies and initiatives, fostering industry-academia cooperation, and promoting the IIOE Pioneer Case Award. In the next three years, UNESCO-ICHEI plans to provide digital and AI competency training to 35,000 African higher education leaders and teachers, supporting the implementation of the China-Africa Cooperation Action Plan and strengthening educational collaboration between China and Africa.
The Second Meeting of the Third Governing Board of UNESCO-ICHEI
On December 6, 2024, the second meeting of UNESCO-ICHEI's Third Governing Board was successfully held at the conference centre of SUSTech. The session was presided over by Mr. ZHANG Ling, Vice Chairperson of the University Council of SUSTech, on behalf of Mr. YANG Xueming, the new Chair of ICHEI's GB and Vice President of SUSTech. During the meeting, attendees reviewed reports on UNESCO-ICHEI’s 2024 annual work summary, budget execution brief, flagship projects review of 2024, and the work plan for 2025.
UNESCO-ICHEI Regional Collaboration in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa
In 2024, UNESCO-ICHEI, in partnership with regional universities and international organizations, hosted three regional high-level policy dialogues in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa. These dialogues aimed to establish mechanisms for higher education policymakers in different regions to engage in meaningful conversations, explore policies and initiatives for integrating artificial intelligence into higher education, showcase best practices, and analyze local needs and challenges. The events also led to the development of collaborative action plans and a series of leadership and professional development training programs for educators, focusing on AI integration into higher education.
Southeast Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue
April 25, 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia
Leading Effective Integration of GenAI in Higher Education
The Southeast Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue was co-organized by UNESCO-ICHEI, the Indonesia Cyber Education Institute (ICE-I, IIOE Indonesia National Centre), UNESCO Regional Offices in Bangkok and Jakarta, with the support of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat. The event was sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and WPS Software PTE. LTD. Nearly 200 participants, including officials from ministries of education, representatives from international organizations, university leaders, experts, scholars, and corporate representatives from China and nine ASEAN countries, attended the dialogue. During the event, UNESCO-ICHEI shared flagship projects such as the IIOE digital and AI competency training series for teachers and the Smart Classroom Project. Following the conference, a joint action plan on leadership development and teacher professional development in Southeast Asian universities in the context of digital transformation, as well as policy recommendations from the Southeast Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue, were published. More than ten enterprises, including WPS, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, set up booths outside the conference venue to showcase application solutions and case studies on the use of Generative AI in education.
Central Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue
June 24, 2024, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Facilitating GenAI-Driven Higher Education Transformation
The Central Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue was co-organized by the Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT, IIOE Uzbekistan National Center), the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE), the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, and UNESCO-ICHEI. The event was supported by Uzbekistan's companies: ELINE Press Ltd. and PROINFO Ltd. The dialogue brought together over 220 higher education stakeholders from 14 countries in Central Asia and surrounding regions, including senior officials from ministries of education, university leaders, UNESCO representatives, experts, scholars, and corporate representatives. During the event, UNESCO-ICHEI and UNESCO IITE officially launched the second phase of their joint project, Supporting the Application of Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching and Administration in Central Asia. This initiative marks a significant step toward promoting the digital transformation of higher education in Central Asia in the era of artificial intelligence. TUIT published a post-event report summarizing the outcomes of the dialogue, sharing best practices, and analyzing the unique needs and challenges of the Central Asian region. Additionally, several companies showcased their innovative GenAI solutions for education through exhibition booths, providing attendees with practical applications and insights into GenAI's potential in higher education.
High-Level Policy Dialogue in Africa
December 13, 2024, Dakar, Senegal
Operationalising Strategies for Quality Higher Education in the AI Era
This event was co-organized by UNESCO, UNESCO-ICHEI, Université Gaston Berger (UGB) - IIOE National Centre in Senegal, Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow (UAM), and Université Numérique Cheikh Hamidou KANE (UN-CHK), with sponsorship from GuangZhou Dazzleview Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. and Meta Lingual Co., Ltd. The policy dialogue brought together more than 220 key stakeholders in higher education from all sub-regions of Africa and beyond, including senior government officials, representatives of UNESCO and other international and regional organizations, university leaders, industry executives, and corporate representatives. Aligned with UNESCO's Priority Africa and Gender Equality strategies, the event was held under the framework of UNESCO's flagship program, Campus Africa. Key highlights of the dialogue included the joint launch of the Digital and AI Competency Empowerment for African Women Higher Education Professionals initiative by UNESCO-ICHEI and UNESCO, as well as the announcement of UNESCO-ICHEI's Three-Year Plan for Supporting the Transformation of Higher Education in Africa. Additionally, UNESCO-ICHEI introduced its latest IIOE Generative AI Teacher Empowerment Course during the event.
Building International Platforms to Foster Global Exchange and Collaboration
Over the past year, UNESCO-ICHEI has extended its reach across 11 sub-regions worldwide, further expanding and strengthening its partner network. Guided by the principles of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits," UNESCO-ICHEI actively pursued multilateral collaboration. Through hosting and participating in domestic and international conferences, UNESCO-ICHEI created platforms for global partners and experts to exchange ideas and collaborate. These efforts have enabled UNESCO-ICHEI to contribute to international education governance, share experiences and best practices, facilitate project implementation, and deepen project outcomes.
Higher Education Innovative Development Conference
On December 7, 2024, the Higher Education Innovative Development Conference - Talent Cultivation Resonating with Digital Intelligence was successfully held in Shenzhen, China. The conference was jointly organized by SUSTech, UNESCO-ICHEI, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Research Institute of Humanities and Arts, and the Global Education 50 Forum Committee. The event brought together over 150 leading figures and experts from higher education, science and technology, and industry. Three thematic forums were established during the conference: Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem, Unlocking the Core of Digital Talent Cultivation, and Breaking Barriers in Industry-University Collaboration. The conference aimed to explore interdisciplinary integration and innovative education, promote multi-stakeholder collaboration and joint action, facilitate the development of interdisciplinary collaboration and mechanisms for cultivating innovative talent, deepen the integration of education and industry, and advance the coordinated development of education, science, and talent in a synergistic manner.
International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) Leadership Summit
From June 5 to 7, 2024, the ICDE Leadership Summit was successfully held in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme "Ethical Leadership in the Age of AI: Rethinking Futures of Education." The summit was co-hosted by ICDE and an ICDE institutional member, with UNESCO-ICHEI as a co-organiser. The summit brought together over 100 higher education leaders and stakeholders from various international organizations, government agencies, and higher education institutions. Discussions revolved around key topics such as "AI, Creating Knowledge(s), Teaching and Learning", "Towards Ethical Frameworks for AI in Higher Education", "AI Opportunities and Challenges for Leadership in Higher Education". Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, delivered the opening address on behalf of the co-organizers and gave a keynote speech titled "Upskilling and Reskilling Higher Education Workers for Digital Transformation in the Age of AI". Following the summit, ICDE and UNESCO-ICHEI jointly released the policy dialogue report titled "Navigating the Future of Higher Education with AI: The 2024 ICDE Leadership Summit Policy Dialogue Report". The report captured the outcomes of the summit, offering valuable insights and actionable recommendations for fostering ethical leadership and digital transformation in higher education in the age of AI.
2024 Nigeria National Education Policy Dialogue
On July 18, 2024, the Nigeria National Education Policy Dialogue, themed "Building a Consensus Framework in the Age of AI: Developing Nigeria's Higher Education Policy Roadmap," was successfully held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The dialogue was guided by Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education through the National Universities Commission and co-hosted by UNESCO-ICHEI and the 2024 IIOE Rotating Chair, Ahmadu Bello University. The event brought together nearly 200 higher education stakeholders, both online and offline, representing institutions such as the National Universities Commission, the Nigerian Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the National Board for Technical Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, the National Open University of Nigeria, the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union, UNESCO-ICHEI, Hassan I University in Settat, Morocco, and Huawei Nigeria. The dialogue provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and develop strategies for advancing higher education in Nigeria in the context of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The 12th International Ain Shams University Congress
On May 30, 2024, UNESCO-ICHEI was invited to participate in the 12th International Ain Shams University Congress, hosted by Ain Shams University (IIOE Egypt National Centre). The conference aimed to explore and emphasize the role of partnerships and alliances in enhancing the innovation capacity of educational institutions, with the goal of integrating technology into education to empower both educators and learners in higher education. Professor JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Vice President of SUSTech, delivered an online speech during the event. In his address, he reflected on the long-standing collaborative relationship between Ain Shams University and UNESCO-ICHEI, while acknowledging the remarkable achievements of the IIOE Egypt National Centre in advancing higher education since its establishment.
On September 2, 2024, the second edition of Digital Learning Week officially opened at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. On September 3, Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, delivered a speech at the breakout session "AI Competency Frameworks and Training Programmes for Teachers." Her presentation, titled "Upskilling and Reskilling Higher Education Teachers and Leaders with AI Competencies: The Global Initiative of UNESCO-ICHEI," highlighted current trends in AI and its transformative impact on higher education. In her speech, Ms. BI emphasized the critical need for higher education professionals to acquire the necessary knowledge and competencies to address the challenges of integrating AI into education responsibly and ethically, ensuring the effective implementation of AI strategies in higher education.
2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference
The 2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference was held at Queen Mary University of London on December 12–13, 2024. The event brought together over 340 representatives from 135 universities, online education platforms, international organizations, and government agencies across 32 countries and regions. The conference, themed "Reconstructing the Future of Higher Education in the Intelligent Era," proposed the initiative to designate 2024 as the "Year of Smart Education." During the event, the Report on the Digital Development of Global Higher Education (2024) and the Digital Development Index of Global Higher Education (2024) were officially released. Professor HAN Wei, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of IIOE, spoke at the roundtable discussion on "Navigating Ethical Considerations of AI: Challenges and Strategies from a Global Perspective." In her speech, she highlighted UNESCO-ICHEI's multilateral cooperation network and shared effective practices for supporting capacity building for higher education professionals and institutions.
UNESCO-ICHEI was invited to participate in a series of international conferences, where it presented project achievements and shared experiences, further expanding the IIOE partnership network. Through dialogues with international organizations, experts, scholars, government representatives, and university leaders, UNESCO-ICHEI deepened its connections with global education partners and advanced project development.
April 23–24
2024 High-Level Policy Dialogue on "Technological Renaissance Policy: Leveraging the Critical Role of University Research", organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia in collaboration with seven national universities (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
April 26
2024 "TIESEA (Technology-enabled Innovation in Education in Southeast Asia) Capacity Building and Dissemination" Workshop organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) (Jakarta, Indonesia)
October 2
2024 UNESCO Chairs and Partners International Forum on "Transforming Knowledge for Africa's Future" (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
October 30
2024 The Second ALECSO International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Education (Tunis, Tunisia)
November 4–7
2024 Digital Education Council 2024 Global Summit (Singapore)
November 26–29
2024 The 47th SEAMEO High Officials Meeting (Bangkok, Thailand)
Expansion of the IIOE Ecosystem: Strengthening the Global Partnership Network
The IIOE Ecosystem is dedicated to connecting global higher education stakeholders by enhancing the capacity of educators in developing countries through its online platform, rich open educational resources, and extensive global network. As of now, UNESCO-ICHEI's global partnership network spans 11 sub-regions and includes over 120 partner universities from 41 countries, 43 international organizations, and 34 corporate partners. With an open and inclusive approach, UNESCO-ICHEI continues to expand partnerships both domestically and internationally, attracting technology and funding to advance its key initiatives. UNESCO-ICHEI remains committed to localizing projects in various regions, strengthening higher education collaboration and innovation, and building a global ecosystem for higher education digitalization.
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On January 6, 2025, during the IIOE Annual Partnership Meeting 2024, UNESCO-ICHEI hosted the ceremony for the rotation of IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit. The Indonesia Cyber Education Institute (ICE-I) succeeded Nigeria’s Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) to serve as the 2025 IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit. Professor Ojat Darojat, Rector of Universitas Terbuka and Chair of ICE-I, expressed at the meeting that ICE-I looks forward to closely collaborating with UNESCO-ICHEI and IIOE partner institutions to continue empowering higher education professionals and driving the digital transformation of higher education institutions.
The IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit is a key component of the IIOE governance structure, established at the inception of IIOE, with the presidency rotating annually among universities in different sub-regions. IIOE rotating presidency unit closely collaborates with UNESCO-ICHEI and the IIOE Secretariat, providing strategic guidance and support for the development of IIOE and the digital transformation of higher education in various regions. The IIOE Secretariat is the coordinating unit for IIOE based in UNESCO-ICHEI, comprising a Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Coordinators. The Secretariat is a working group under the leadership of the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit, and its responsibilities include coordinating all IIOE stakeholders, managing IIOE policies and plans, and expanding IIOE’s global network.
IIOE Platform Upgrade: Micro-Certification and AI Courses Driving Teacher Capacity Building
In 2024, IIOE collaborated with seven IIOE National Centres, five renowned universities, two international organizations, and seven leading enterprises to develop a plan for 38 courses under the IIOE Micro-Certification Project for Higher Education Workforce Digital Competency Building (IIOE Micro-Certification Project). As of now, 20 courses have been successfully launched, including 15 in English, 3 in French, and 2 in Russian.
Additionally, IIOE organized 17 training sessions and webinars in 2024, covering topics such as Generative AI (GenAI), cloud computing, big data, and Micro-Certification. These initiatives attracted nearly 6,000 educators globally. Through course development and webinars, the IIOE platform achieved remarkable results: user numbers increased by approximately 60%, total learning sessions grew nearly sevenfold, and average learning time per user more than doubled.
IIOE Micro-Certification Project: Local Implementation Across Countries
IIOE Micro-Certification Project for Higher Education Workforce Digital Competency Building (IIOE Micro-Certification Project) provides training on digital competencies for teachers, leaders, and teaching support personnel, aiming to enhance their digital skills and AI literacy to effectively utilize AI in improving teaching, management, and governance in higher education. As of December 2024, UNESCO-ICHEI, in collaboration with over ten higher education institutions and leading enterprises, has developed 24 courses focusing on digital and AI competencies. The project has been piloted in nine countries: Indonesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Zambia, and Senegal. In 2025, UNESCO-ICHEI plans to expand the project to all IIOE National Centres, emphasizing localized and scalable implementation to support the global digital transformation of higher education.
The IIOE Digital Competency Reference Framework for Higher Education Workforce
Indonesia: Nationwide Implementation
The Indonesia Cyber Education Institute (ICE-I, IIOE Indonesia National Centre), in collaboration with its partner universities, developed six intermediate-level competency courses and localized existing courses from the IIOE platform. All six micro-certification courses have been completed and are now available on the IIOE platform. ICE-I has initiated a nationwide implementation plan, with approximately 420 educators from seven universities participating in the training. Of these, 191 teachers have successfully completed the training and received certificates. Additionally, ICE-I is seeking recognition for the project from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Indonesia to secure government endorsement.
Nigeria: Innovation in Customized Courses
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Nigeria IIOE National Centre, has successfully customized the intermediate-level competency module "Designing and Producing Micro-Courses." ABU is the first IIOE partner university to complete a fully localized course at all stages. The ABU team adapted the existing video course content and assessment criteria from the IIOE platform to meet local needs and conducted a one-week offline workshop followed by two weeks of practical activities. In addition, ABU collaborated with UNESCO-ICHEI to develop two additional courses: Designing and Producing Presentations and Collaborative Teaching and Research in Blended Learning Environments. Approximately 80 teachers have participated in these courses. The credentials will be endorsed and signed by the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, further enhancing the program's recognition and credibility.
Egypt: Building Blended Teaching Capacity
Ain Shams University (IIOE Egypt National Centre) has developed four courses: Design and Implementation of Universal Learning Activities, Design and Implementation of Blended Courses, Management and Evaluation of Blended Courses, and Integration and Implementation of ePortfolio in Competency-Based Educational Programs. On October 31, 2024, Ain Shams University hosted an online introduction session for the IIOE Micro-Certification Project, inviting representatives from 23 partner higher education institutions in Egypt. The session provided a comprehensive and detailed overview of the project and its courses. To date, 113 participants have registered for the available courses, with six participants successfully completing the training and receivng certificates.
Mongolia: Localization and Course Expansion
The Mongolian University of Science and Technology (IIOE Mongolia National Centre) has launched four intermediate-level courses on Human-Machine Collaborative Learning Enabled by GenAI, delivered in English. A total of 200 pre-service and in-service teachers from six institutions have enrolled in the courses, with 81 participants successfully completing the training and receiving certificates. As part of its commitment to localization, the university is training core faculty members on how to translate and adapt courses for local contexts. One of these courses is currently being localized from English to Mongolian, which will expand its reach to a broader group of educators within the country. In addition, MUST has incorporated the IIOE micro-certification courses into the credit accreditation mechanism of the Master's degree programme, which has enhanced the authority and recognition of the IIOE courses.
IITE: Strengthening Regional Influence
Through the collaboration on the first-phase project with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), the Russian version of the IIOE platform has been optimized and enhanced in terms of functionality and language, with the professional support of IITE. This collaboration has laid a solid foundation for the second-phase project. In April 2024, UNESCO ICHEI signed a two-year agreement for the second-phase project with IITE. The main outcomes of the project include: the development and implementation of four sets of IIOE Micro-Certification Trainings; providing feedback to support the optimization of the Russian version of the IIOE platform; supporting the organization and participation in international or regional conferences or forums to enhance the visibility of the IIOE Micro-Certification Project in the region; participation of institutions from at least nine countries in each training session; and a cumulative total of no fewer than 1,400 additional IIOE trainees.
IIOE GenAI Course Series: Exploring Innovation in Teaching and Governance
The IIOE GenAI Course Series aims to comprehensively enhance the AI skills of higher education teachers, covering foundational and specialized areas such as teaching, governance, operations, academic disciplines, and industry-academia collaborations. Additionally, UNESCO-ICHEI continues to enrich the IIOE "1+X" GenAI Course Series, exploring innovative approaches to teaching, assessment, and course design in the AI era. In 2024, UNESCO-ICHEI, in collaboration with IIOE National Centres, international organizations, enterprises, and partner universities, launched 10 courses in English and French. These courses are designed to support higher education teachers and leaders in developing countries in effectively applying GenAI in teaching and management practices. By fostering diverse collaborations, this series leverages the potential of emerging technologies such as AI and cloud computing to address the localized needs and demands of IIOE's global partner universities.
IIOE Webinars: Global Experts Discuss AI-Enabled Higher Education
In 2024, IIOE successfully hosted seven webinars, bringing together academic experts and corporate representatives to share knowledge and experiences. These webinars focused on the innovative applications and efficient practices of AI in the field of education. The sessions highlighted cutting-edge research and practical case studies from IIOE and its partners on integrating AI into higher education. They also explored how smart technologies can be leveraged to achieve more effective teaching and management, offering new insights and driving forces for the digital transformation of higher education.
Smart Classrooms Empowering Global HEIs: Industry-Academia Collaboration Driving Digital Transformation
The Smart Classroom Project aims to support higher education institutions in developing countries across Asia and Africa by improving hardware infrastructure to facilitate digital learning and accelerate the digital transformation of higher education. In collaboration with SUSTech and corporate partners, UNESCO-ICHEI has implemented this initiative as a philanthropic effort by establishing model projects at selected partner institutions. In 2024, Smart Classrooms were successfully established at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Tribhuvan University in Nepal, and Tashkent University of Information Technologies in Uzbekistan (TUIT). UNESCO-ICHEI, together with enterprise partners, also hosted signing ceremonies for Smart Classroom agreements.
From March 25 to April 2, 2024, a Smart Classroom donated by Seewo was successfully installed at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Training sessions were provided for over 70 faculty members and students on how to utilize the Smart Classroom. Seewo and UNESCO-ICHEI have signed agreements for two phases of the Smart Classroom Project, planning a total of 10 classrooms. This successful implementation not only brought advanced educational solutions from China to the partner university but also provided valuable experience for optimizing Seewo's overseas project operations.
From September 25 to October 1, 2024, the installation of a Smart Classroom at Tribhuvan University in Nepal was completed, and training sessions for faculty members were conducted. The equipment was donated by Seewo, and the Smart Classroom will be accessible to all faculty and students for teaching, seminars, and other academic activities, fully leveraging its potential.
Uzbekistan
In June 2024, during the Central Asia High-Level Policy Dialogue, the first phase of the Smart Classroom installation at Tashkent University of Information Technologies in Uzbekistan was completed. The university has already begun utilizing the Smart Classroom for teaching activities. Full completion of the Smart Classroom facilities is planned for 2025.
Signing Agreements with Algeria and Senegal HEIs: Expanding Higher Education Infrastructure in Africa
On December 13, 2024, during the Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue, a signing ceremony for Smart Classroom agreements was held. Led by UNESCO-ICHEI, with academic support from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), the Weidong Cloud Education Group has signed cooperation agreements with Université Gaston Berger (Senegal), while MAXHUB has signed an agreement with the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumedienne (Algeria). The Smart Classrooms at both universities are expected to be installed and operational in 2025.
On October 16, 2024, UNESCO-ICHEI and Guangzhou Dazzleview Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. officially signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement, along with a partnership agreement for implementing Smart Classrooms in six African and Asian countries. Both parties will engage in deep collaboration to leverage ICT for digital transformation in higher education, with plans to construct Smart Classrooms and expand international projects in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Iraq, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Knowledge Production and Policy Research: Exploring Higher Education Innovation in the AI Era
CLOUD: In-Depth Analysis of Micro-Credentials, AI, and Digital Education Transformation
The flagship publication of UNESCO-ICHEI, CLOUD, aims to establish a platform for dialogue among global higher education stakeholders. Drawing on a global network of experts, CLOUD shares cutting-edge knowledge, project updates, localized case studies, expert insights, data, and best practices to promote the application and research of digital transformation in higher education.
In 2024, CLOUD published four issues, featuring 55 articles. These issues focused on the implementation of micro-credentials, exemplary digital transformation practices, and the integration of Generative AI into higher education in Southeast and Central Asia. Issue 7 focuses on micro-credentials, offering an in-depth analysis of their application value, core challenges, and limitations in diverse contexts from the perspective of practitioners. Issue 8 centres around The White Paper on Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and the "UNESCO-ICHEI Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award," showcasing outstanding practices in digital transformation by partner institutions in developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Issue 9 draws insights from the 2024 Southeast Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue, sharing innovative AI application practices in higher education institutions in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and other countries in the region. Issue 10 is based on the 2024 Central Asia Regional High-Level Policy Dialogue held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, highlighting successful cases of AI technology application in higher education institutions across Central Asia and neighbouring regions.
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On January 6–7, 2024, the White Paper on Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (hereinafter referred to as the “White Paper”) was released at the First Global Frontier Science 50 Think Tank Forum held in Chengdu, China. The White Paper explores opportunities, challenges, and visions for integrating AI into higher education, focusing on the intersection of industrial AI technology and higher education, policies and governance in AI and education, and the needs of higher education institutions and teachers in adapting to AI within the framework of IIOE. The White Paper conveys UNESCO-ICHEI's commitment to advancing the fusion of AI and higher education, aiming to support stakeholders in leveraging technology and tools for equitable, high-quality higher education and achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.
Transforming the Digital Landscape of Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean
Since its launch at the 3rd World Higher Education Conference in May 2022, UNESCO IESALC and UNESCO-ICHEI have collaborated on a comprehensive study, culminating in the report Transforming the Digital Landscape of Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, published online on December 4, 2024. The report identifies the innovative potential of digital transformation in higher education across the region and provides practical guidance and policy recommendations for local policymakers.
The report, jointly developed by UNESCO-ICHEI and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), was officially released at the Second Arab International Conference on AI in Education, hosted by ALECSO on October 29–30, 2024. The report focuses on the application of ICT in higher education, analyzing the current status and challenges faced by higher education institutions in the Arab region during their digital transformation journey. It also compiles best practices from various countries and offers recommendations, providing strategic guidance for the digital transformation of higher education institutions in the Arab region.
From June 5 to 7, 2024, the ICDE Leadership Summit was held in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme Ethical Leadership in the Age of AI: Rethinking Futures of Education. UNESCO-ICHEI participated as a co-organizer of the summit. In October 2024, the summit's key outcomes were officially published in the 2024 ICDE Leadership Summit Policy Dialogue Report: Navigating The Future Of Higher Education With AI. UNESCO-ICHEI contributed to the drafting of the report, with the IIOE Micro-Certification Project for Higher Education Workforce Digital Competency Building included as a highlighted case study.
The Report on the Digital Development of Global Higher Education (2024) was officially released in London, United Kingdom, on December 12–13, 2024 (local time). Nearly 100 experts and scholars from 30 universities, international organizations, and government agencies worldwide contributed to the report, which compiles 95 case studies from 16 countries, regions, and international organizations. Representatives from UNESCO-ICHEI, as part of the drafting team, have been deeply involved in the development of this report and the Digital Development Index of Global Higher Education for three consecutive years.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Strengthening Global Cooperation and Advancing Sustainable Higher Education
In 2025, UNESCO-ICHEI aims to further enhance its partnerships with IIOE National Centres, partner universities, enterprises, UNESCO Headquarters and regional offices, and other international organizations to advance the digital and AI competencies of higher education workforce. Specific initiatives include developing a multilingual IIOE course system, continuously enriching the IIOE platform resources, supporting the effective operation of IIOE National Centres, expanding the scale and impact of the IIOE Micro-Certification Project for Higher Education Workforce Digital Competency Building, accelerating the upgrading of smart classrooms, and establishing standards for smart classrooms. Additionally, UNESCO-ICHEI will host high-level regional policy dialogues in Northeast Asia and South Asia to create dialogue mechanisms that support policy formulation.
Over the next three years, UNESCO-ICHEI plans to provide digital and AI training to 35,000 higher education workforce in African HEIs. UNESCO-ICHEI will collaborate with UNESCO Headquarters to initiate and implement a project empowering African women educators in higher education, enhancing the digital and AI competencies of female faculty and administrators. Furthermore, UNESCO-ICHEI plans to work with UNESCO Headquarters and partner universities to develop the AI Competency Framework for Higher Education Teaching Personnel. Looking forward, UNESCO-ICHEI will deepen its engagement in industry-academia collaboration, South-South cooperation, South-North-South cooperation, multilateral collaborations, and other forms of partnerships to create a thriving ecosystem for higher education development.
