On 12th October 2024, the highly anticipated FutureEd Symposium took place, drawing over 135 participants from international schools and universities across Malaysia, Indonesia, and neighboring countries. The symposium, themed "Dawn of AI’s Emergence: Revolutionizing Teaching and Assessment," focused on the transformative potential of AI in education, specifically how educators can harness AI to enhance teaching practices and assessment methods.
In his welcoming address, Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management, emphasized the rapidly evolving educational landscape and reiterated Taylor’s University’s commitment to producing future ready AI equip educators. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. David Griffiths, President of the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Logendra Ponniah, Head of the School of Education and the main organizer of the event. Both shared valuable insights into AI’s role in reshaping education. AIMS, a non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to advancing international education in Malaysia by providing essential services to its member schools.
The symposium featured a stellar lineup of speakers:
Dr. Jim Wagstaff, Co-Founder of Noodle Factory and author of AI-Assisted Teaching and Learning: A Generative AI Field Guide for Educators, delivered the keynote address. He discussed how educators can create AI-integrated learning environments to enhance teaching and support holistic assessment.
Plenary sessions were led by Mr. David Smith, Economics Teacher (Humanities) from Nexus International School Malaysia, Ms. Pepa-Jean Mulhearn, Coordinator - Year 7 from Taylor’s International School Kuala Lumpur, and Mr. Ahmad Heikhal Amir Hamzah, Strategic Planning and Communication Manager, from SEAMEO SEN, who shared innovative strategies for implementing AI-driven educational solutions.
The symposium brought together a diverse group of teachers, department heads, year leaders, principals, and lecturers from institutions such as Nobel International School, Epsom College in Malaysia, Taylor’s International School, Newton Global School (Indonesia), as well as universities including Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universitas Indonesia. Participants explored practical applications of AI in classrooms, which sparked lively discussions during interactive Q&A sessions.
One of the highlights was a session by Noodle Factory, which demonstrated how seamlessly AI could be integrated into teaching and assessment, simplifying the process akin to preparing a cup of noodles!
We express our sincere gratitude to our partners, the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS) and the Southeast Asia Minister of Education Organization Regional Centre for Special Educational Needs (SEAMEO SEN), for their invaluable support and collaboration. Special thanks to Noodle Factory, the event’s sponsor, for contributing to the resounding success of this symposium.