Micro-credentials and the Future of Learning

Despite the lack of a widely accepted definition, scope and regulation (Varadarajan et al. 2023), the use of micro-credentials (MCs) holds immense potential to address the challenges of traditional higher education, particularly in terms of accessibility, flexibility, employability, and inclusivity. This study delves into the rise of micro-credentialing and its evolution in the education and training landscape post-COVID-19. It identifies the challenges and unanswered questions that primarily emanate from a lack of clarity regarding applicable quality standards and regulatory frameworks and the undefined breadth of the scope and function of MCs

A Governance Assurance Framework for a University Leadership in the Age of Polycrisis

Higher education has undergone a significant transformation from its historic character as a community of scholars. As higher education institutions are being called upon to present a more business-like complex, a growing executive management style built on a foundation of governance and deeper accountability has taken root. The effect is the introduction and implementation of practices that conflict with the traditional values of the university, accompanied by concomitant resistance to managerialism and the bureaucratization of the academic project. The article examines six governance frameworks and identifies five key drivers of governance: leadership and direction, strategy and performance, accountability, ethical culture, and stakeholder relationships, as well as a sixth lever: monitoring, evaluation, and improvement

Beyond Crisis: Discernment in Decision-making for Sustainable Church Health

This study explores the integration of discernment into the decision-making framework. Focusing on the financial crisis within the East Java Christian Church, which led to opposition, distrust, and the collapse of peace within the Church, it identifies a disconnection between decision-making and spiritual awareness. By examining social discernment, Ignatian discernment, and contemplative artistic practice, the researcher proposes practical steps for implementation. Ultimately, this essay advocates for a comprehensive approach to discernment that not only addresses immediate crisis but also lays the groundwork for sustainable institutional health, trust, and peace within church communities

Human-centered Approach to the Governance of AI in Higher Education: Principles of International Practice

A recent study in Australasia (Selvaratnam & Venaruzzo, 2023) revealed some challenges and gaps in the governance of AI and data in higher education, mainly from the human-centeredness perspectives of accessibility, inclusivity and wellbeing. This paper is a narrative review to discern principles of a human-centered approach to the governance of artificial intelligence (AI), benchmarking literature, policies and practice across diverse geopolitical contexts for higher education, synthesizing the review results to provide guiding principles that can support this

Africa Dreams of Artificial Intelligence: A Critical Analysis of its Limits in Open and Distance Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently emerged as a transformative force in teaching and learning practices, with profound implications for open and distance learning (ODL), which relies heavily on technology. Despite its global impact, the extent of African societies’ engagement with AI remains trivial. This paper critically reflects on the ethical, legal, social, pedagogical and technological implications of AI in ODL in sub-Saharan Africa, drawing insights from the Nigerian experience. Adopting the scoping review methodology, the paper explores and synthesises existing literature to foreground a critical analysis of the implications of AI in the African context

Student Voices: Challenges and Preferences with Technology-enabled Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

The adaptation of the curriculum to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and human ethical values necessitates a careful, deliberate approach. A technological transition, pivotal for the future of education, is fraught with challenges but also with real chances for better human self-understanding. To appropriately understand the complexities and significance of this digital shift, Stadio Higher Education conducted a survey (STADIO SV Survey) to capture the voices of students on technology relevant to their social, learning, and teaching environments. After consolidating fundamental points as the methodology and the reliability of the survey, we proposed a descriptive analysis and a substantial study of the findings provided. Literature review and discussion of such important concepts as: choice of the technology, the nature of access, the computing skills needed, communication, contact and successful engagement permit, in a nutshell, the articulation of some very useful closing recommendations

From Disposable Education to Acting in the World as a Human in the Time of AI

This contribution presents two perspectives: one informed by AI expertise, and the other by knowledge from the field of educational sciences. The paper aims to question the purpose of education, repositioning it within Von Humboldt\u27s model of the teaching and research university, for whom Bildung was the driving force. In recent decades, the Global North has developed a system of disposable education that focuses on training a workforce for the market, with little regard for Bildung. This has resulted in the production of disposable knowledge and assessments, with the sole goal of achieving good grades and securing employment. Generative AI, which replicates how society works, is now clearly showing this situation. This article first explains how automatic learning, the foundation of generative AI, works. Second, we shall discuss human deep learning, as opposed to surface learning, and demonstrate its necessity to develop as a person in the Bildung perspective. Finally, we move beyond the notion of AI as a revelator of our societies and engage in reflection on concepts of wisdom, responsibility and the art of questioning in philosophy

Ethics Concerns in the Use of Computer-Generated Images for Human Communication

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has contributed to various image-generation techniques. These tools have had a significant effect on how we perceive contemporary communication. This study presents a broad overview of the challenges and consequences associated with the influence of AI on communication, and its findings are supported by thoughts collected from various books and academic publications. Nevertheless, incorporating AI into communication through synthetic imagery raises concerns about communication that require careful consideration. This study investigates various ethical concerns and the significance of ethical guidelines and responsible practices in creating these applications. It intricately weaves together philosophical reflections, ethical deliberations, and societal responsibilities, shedding light on the complex interplay between ethics, technology, and human values within the context of machine development and broader societal realms

Harnessing AI for Enhancing Student Support Services: The Case Study of the University of the South Pacific

In the unique educational landscape of small island countries in the Pacific, the University of the South Pacific (USP) has embarked on an innovative approach to augmenting student support services by integrating Generative AI technology. This initiative specifically caters to its diverse and dispersed student body across 12 countries and five time zones, addressing a critical need for accessible and empathetic support systems in higher education. To do so, the Semester Zero, an online preparatory course using GPT 3.5-Turbo, was created. Designed for all incoming students, it showcased the potential of AI to enhance student support services in institutions with far less challenging environments than USP

Peace Spirituality Through Interreligious Engagement: A Case of Education to Toleration and Peace Spirituality in Yogyakarta

Historically, Yogyakarta had enjoyed the reputation of being a bastion of interreligious tolerance in Indonesia. Still, a growing spate of events that were manifestations of religious intolerance calls for a rethinking of that narrative. This paper examines public space civility, peace spirituality, and interreligious engagement in Yogyakarta. Through a quantitative survey approach, it is found that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between positive public space civility and peace spirituality. Apart from the positive correlations of public behaviour and peace spirituality, there is also a theory-practice gap, in that most measures seemed to make the Muslim and Christian participants alike appear very insecure. The current study extends earlier research and underlines how grassroots interreligious engagement can stand in front in peace-making, enhancing spirituality, and religious tolerance