On December 12th, 2024, the 2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Conference (GMC) officially started in London. With the theme “Reimagining the Future of Higher Education in the Intelligence Era,” the conference is jointly organized by the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance (GMA) and UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), and co-hosted by Tsinghua University, Queen Mary University of London, and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.
The Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance is a vibrant international community dedicated to the digitalization of higher education, currently comprising 16 universities and seven online education institutions from 16 countries across six continents.
The opening ceremony of this annual summit started with remarks from prominent global education leaders, including: Li Luming, President of Tsinghua University and Chair of Board of the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance; Wu Yan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China; Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education; The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State, Department for Education of the UK; Colin Bailey, President of Queen Mary University of London. Zhan Tao, Director of the UNESCO IITE, delivered closing remarks.
Li Luming addresses the conference
On behalf of Tsinghua University and the GMA, Li Luming welcomed and thanked the global attendees. He reflected on the GMA’s growth since its establishment in 2020 and highlighted Tsinghua University’s efforts to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance education and teaching practices. Li emphasized that the rise of AI presents both significant opportunities and challenges for higher education. Tsinghua University has taken proactive steps to adapt to the evolving educational landscape by embracing innovation. The university has equipped every incoming student with an AI Growth Assistant, and since the Fall 2023 semester, over 110 courses have incorporated AI-empowered teaching practices. Tsinghua has advanced constructing AI-driven modular course groups, blurring knowledge boundaries, engaging in inquiry-based learning, and promoting innovative and inter-disciplinary studies.
He called on universities worldwide to jointly advance innovation and application in educational technology, advocate for the responsible use of AI, and foster coordinated development between universities and industries.
As the Chair of the Board of the GMA, Li also announced the two new GMA members: Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico and Edraak in Jordan.
Wu Yan addresses the conference
In his remarks, Wu Yan shared insights into China’s digital transformation in higher education, through the “3I” concept — Integrated, Intelligent, and International. He highlighted China’s approach to digitalization through prioritizing application-oriented approaches, advocating for joint contribution and sharing, emphasizing system integration, and valuing competence development. As AI continues to rise rapidly, Wu invited universities around the world to join hands in contributing to a more resilient and sustainable higher education system in the intelligence era by fortifying the foundation of smart education, enriching the concept of smart education, developing innovative smart education models, and building a smart education ecosystem.
Stefania Giannini addresses the conference
Stefania Gianni referred to this conference as a “unique opportunity” to reflect on how MOOC and online education can continue to transform higher education, alongside the AI-driven digital transformation. She noted that MOOCs have dramatically expanded “access to higher education on a global scale in recent years” and can drive equity in education. Giannini stressed UNESCO’s commitment to harnessing AI’s potential to improve learning outcomes and ensuring humans retain human agency in the age of automation.
The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern addresses the conference
“We stand on the brink of a transformative period driven by rapid advancements in AI and digital technologies. This will change the way we look at the world, and we need to rethink and reshape our approach to higher education and meet those challenges,” said The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern. She shared the importance of ensuring that “our education system not only adapts to the demands of the future, but also leads the way in creating a more inclusive and dynamic society” through investing in innovative research, supporting educators, and fostering lifelong learning.
Colin Bailey addresses the conference
Colin Bailey emphasized the importance of equipping students with skills to ethically use AI, and understand the power and development of AI. He also announced the official launch of the Centre for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Education. Bailey highlighted digital education’s key role in “transforming and enhancing future learning” through promoting accessibility and inclusivity, creativity, and personalized learning. Bailey called for collaboration, innovation, and partnerships by stressing the need to “learn from each other” on a global scale.
Release of the Infinite Possibilities: Digital Development Report of Global Higher Education 2024 and the Digital Development Index of Global Higher Education 2024
Li and Bailey jointly released the Infinite Possibilities: Digital Development Report of Global Higher Education 2024 and the Digital Development Index of Global Higher Education 2024. The report gathered insights from 100 experts and scholars from 30 universities, industry sectors, international organizations, and government bodies around the world. The report showcases 95 case studies from 16 countries, regions, and international organizations, and draws on global experiences and insights to highlight the transformative journey of digitalization in higher education. The index is structured around four primary indicators: digital educational methods, digital school management models, digital administrative systems, and digital guarantee mechanisms. With data collected from 94 countries, it aims to provide data-driven support for nations in optimizing their digital strategies.
Keynote Presentations (from top to bottom, left to right): Liu Yi, Lord Jo Johnson, Waqar Ahmad, Xu Kun, Simon Marginson, Gerd Kortemeyer, and Wang Shuaiguo.
Hosted by Liu Yi, Vice Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs of Tsinghua University, the Keynote Presentations session features critical insights from six global experts, including Lord Jo Johnson, Executive Chairman of FutureLearn; Waqar Ahmad, President of Nazarbayev University; Xu Kun, President of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Simon Marginson, Professor of Higher Education, University of Oxford, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Higher Education, Gerd Kortemeyer, Rectorate and AI Center of ETH Zurich, and Wang Shuaiguo, Director of Tsinghua University Online Education Center, Secretary General of the GMA. The six experts delivered insightful presentations on the evolution and development of higher education in the intelligence era.
The conference also included Smart Teaching Scenario Showcase, Exhibition of Cutting-Edge Achievements in Education Digitalization, Expert Roundtable, and the GMA Awards Ceremony to promote sharing and exchanges of digital education transformation practices on a global scale.
2024 Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance Board Meeting
From December 12th afternoon to December 13th noon, four plenary sessions brought together leaders, experts, and policy makers to address four key areas related to higher education in the intelligence era, including: Transforming Higher Education for the Future: Exploring In-Depth Reconstruction of University Models, Navigating Ethical Considerations of AI: Challenges and Solutions from a Global Perspective, Embracing the New Era of Lifelong Learning: Integrating Future-Oriented Workforce Skills with Digital Literacy, and Reshaping Teaching and Learning Paradigms with Technological Innovation: Transforming Skills-Centered and Practice-Based Learning.
Conference guests
During the conference, the China-UK Digital Higher Education Dialogue and the annual GMA Board Meeting were successfully held. These meetings facilitated in-depth discussions on the future direction of digital education and international collaboration in higher education. Peng Gang, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University and Chair of the GMA Executive Committee delivered opening remarks virtually.
With more than 340 attendees and speakers representing 135 universities, online education platforms, international organizations, and government agencies across 32 countries and regions, GMC continued to advance digital transformation of education through collective global educational forces.
Source: The Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance
Editors: Guo Lili, JP
