8A – The Human Curriculum: AI Fluency, Human Capability, and Redesign of Asia-Pacific Higher Education

08:30 - 09:15 23/03/27 ROOM MY 01 - 04

Abstract

As artificial intelligence reshapes every dimension of human endeavour, universities across Asia-Pacific face a question of how we design curricula that equip students to lead in the AI age. Answering this question demands more than embedding AI into existing curricula, but fundamentally redesigning educational ecosystems to develop graduates who can work effectively with AI while exercising the uniquely human capabilities.

To explore how this transformation is taking shape, this panel brings together senior academic leaders from Malaysia, Singapore, and China to share insights across diverse institutional contexts. Panellists will examine how institutions are reimagining programme structures to embed AI literacy, interdisciplinary thinking, ethical frameworks, and real-world experiential learning as core graduate competencies, drawing on approaches from competency-based redesigns and industry co-created programmes to university-wide transformation initiatives.

The panel argues that graduates are not shaped by updated syllabi alone. Rather, they emerge from ecosystems: institutional cultures, industry partnerships, and pedagogical philosophies that must hold two ambitions simultaneously. Developing graduates who are technologically fluent while strengthening distinctly human capabilities, such as critical thinking, ethical judgement, creativity, and social responsibility. Attendees will gain a comparative understanding of how Asia-Pacific universities are navigating this shift and practical frameworks they can adapt for their institutional contexts.

Learning objectives

Attendees will be able to:

  • Compare evidence-based approaches to AI-integrated curriculum redesign across three distinct Asia-Pacific institutional contexts (Malaysia, Singapore, and China)
  • Identify strategies for embedding AI literacy, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary thinking as foundational graduate competencies
  • Evaluate programme models including competency-based redesigns, industry co-created curricula, and university-wide transformation frameworks
  • Recognise how institutional culture, industry partnerships, and pedagogy shape graduate outcomes beyond syllabus-level changes
  • Adapt practical curriculum transformation frameworks to their own institutional contexts and priorities

Target audience 

Academic leaders, curriculum designers, faculty developers, and policymakers responsible for programme design and institutional strategy. Particularly relevant to those working in quality assurance, industry engagement, graduate employability, or teaching and learning innovation in Asia-Pacific higher education.

Session members

Click underlined name to view biography.

Session members will be added shortly once they have confirmed their participation.

Presentations

Key Dates

General Proposal Submissions

General Proposal Submission:
24 June 2026 23:59 AEST Closed

Proposal notifications:
late September 2026

Academic Research Submissions

Phase 1: Abstract Submission:
3 June 2026 Closed

Phase 2: Full Paper Submission (for accepted abstracts):
12 August 2026 Closed

Phase 3: Revised Full Paper Submission (incorporating reviewer feedback):
12 November 2026

Registration

Early bird open: from mid-September 2026
Early bird close: 12 January 2027
Standard open: 13 January 2027
Standard close: 20 March 2027
Late open: 21 March 2027

APAIE 2027 Conference & Exhibition

Pre-conference workshops: 21 March 2027
APAIE 2027 Kuala Lumpur: 21 – 25 March 2027
Post-conference campus tours: 25 March 2027

Submissions

Proposal submission: 24 April – 24 June 2026
Research submission: 24 April – 3 June 2026
Pre-conf workshop submission: 24 April – 3 June 2026

Early bird open: from mid-Sepember 2026
Early bird close: 12 January 2027
Standard open: 13 January 2027
Standard close: 20 March 2027
Late open: 21 March 2027