Parimala VELUVALI

Abstract: AI has already transformed the fabric of everyday life: from learning habits to the labor market. In this rapidly changing technological and economic landscape, there is a lot of uncertainty in how students perceive their future. The ability to adapt quickly without losing critical skills is becoming more essential for every graduate as the gap between what universities teach and what the world requires is widening. These challenges are pushing higher education institutions across the Asia-Pacific region, as one of the most dynamically transforming parts of the world, to rethink how they design and deliver knowledge. Addressing it requires a coordinated effort to create learning opportunities that build critical thinking and workforce competencies. This session provides an overview of approaches professionals use to upgrade their educational programs. Through concrete cases, presenters will explore strategies for curriculum redesign: from incorporating short-term formats for industry-academia collaboration to reworking assessments. The main goal is to highlight successful cases, existing challenges, and ways to sustain collaborative efforts in higher education. These insights may be useful for experts, policymakers, and institutions in preserving the core human qualities of learning, such as creativity, curiosity, and the ability to ask meaningful questions. Learning objectives: Explore approaches to curriculum redesign that respond to the changing demands of the job market Have a deeper understanding of how university and industry collaborations can be reshaped by integrating short, industry-led modules into existing degree programmes without major structural change Understand the challenges of rapid curriculum adaptation and strategies for sustaining industry-academia collaboration Gain the insights to develop strategies to replicate and adapt the described models in their own institutional contexts across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond Target audience: The session is designed for international education professionals, including institutional leaders, program designers, educators, industry experts or everyone interested in how educational experiences are being transformed.