A recent session of the APEC Digital Education Policy Training (ADEPT) program served as a perfect platform for APRU Chief Executive Thomas Schneider to introduce APRU and initiatives around digital education and AI in higher education. Schneider spoke at the APEC Digital Education Policy Forum in September, joining outstanding education policymakers and practitioners from APEC member economies in sharing the best practices of the ADEPT program on the frontlines of the education sector.  

Based on the APEC CoMPIE (Competence Model for Policymakers of ICT in Education), ADEPT 2024 promotes inclusive growth through digital education policies, enabling trainees to effectively address emerging educational challenges.  

“Our ongoing initiatives have established a network of APRU experts to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges brought by AI, supporting the higher education development in the Asia-Pacific region,” Prof. Schneider said. 

“With our two-year project on Big Data for Social Impact scheduled to start in November this year, we will strengthen capabilities and accelerate inclusive growth through Data Science for Social Impact in Asia and the Pacific.” 

ADEPT will conclude in February 2025 with the production on a final report consisting of an evaluation of cumulative program outcomes and an enhancement of the training curriculum. The promotion of inclusive growth remains to be a pressing task, given that the digital education gap persists globally, with notable disparities evident across regions. The ABAC Human Development Working Group’s APEC Business Advisory Council recommendations emphasize that Digital Transformation for Human and Skills Development is essential for a productive and agile workforce in the region.