Transforming education in an age of AI, climate change and crises
Cambridge at the Education World Forum
22 May 2024
By Rosalind Moran
Photo credit: EWF Photo
Photo credit: EWF Photo
Jane Mann, Managing Director of the Partnership for Education and Director of Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, will share Cambridge’s expertise in transforming education at the Education World Forum (EWF), taking place from 19 to 22 May. EWF is the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world.
As the moderator of a panel on Wednesday 22 May run by the Business Council for International Understanding on AI and innovation's role in education and training, Jane will be advocating for policy makers to ensure education systems are not only innovative but inclusive as well.
Cambridge's Partnership for Education team will be engaging with delegates about the challenges, opportunities and priorities facing education systems across the 114 countries represented at the event.
This year’s EWF theme is: “encouraging AI understanding; building human relationships and resilience; and accelerating climate action” and Cambridge is actively working across all three areas.
Cambridge is heavily involved in building human relationships and resilience through its work in education emergency contexts. The Cambridge Partnership for Education team works with governments, non-profits, and communities on the ground to reach children whose education risks being disrupted owing to emergencies or disasters – whether social, political, or environmental. The team’s recent work includes supporting the education of Rohingya refugees and children displaced by the war in Ukraine. The team also provides not only immediate action in emergency contexts, but also works to build strong and resilient education systems that can withstand future crises.
Cambridge is a leader in building understanding of the role of AI in education while keeping people at the heart of the generative AI revolution. For example, using AI, Cambridge has built Linguaskill, a quick and convenient AI-powered online test that helps organisations check the English speaking, reading, writing and listening levels of candidates. Linguaskill may use AI but it puts people first. Cambridge’s International Education group runs focus groups with 80 teachers working on the challenges around GenAI, to get a better picture of their hopes, fears, ideas and solutions.
Cambridge is also a leader in climate education. We seek to connect our curriculum and assessment specialists, in topics such as geography, business and engineering and beyond, with leading climate researchers and scientists. This collaboration allows us to develop impactful climate change courses resources, reaching millions of learners.
Jane Mann said: “The world is changing fast, and education must evolve alongside these changes to ensure future generations have the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the world in which they will grow up.
“The work done by Cambridge is built around change. Our team of education experts works with ministries of education, international development organisations and NGOs to improve the quality and effectiveness of education systems. We work in a consultancy capacity, evaluating and designing curricula and assessments, developing effective materials and implementation support, and focusing on educational reform in partnership with local leaders. With our support, our partners are enabled to change in positive, constructive ways.”
Jane will be travelling to Bhutan next week to speak at the Paro Symposium of Education alongside experts including Andreas Schleicher from OECD. While there, she will meet with the Bhutan Ministry of Education and Skills Development to discuss Cambridge's recent system analysis report and ways to support Bhutan in its future education plans.
"The world is changing fast, and education must evolve alongside these changes to ensure future generations have the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the world in which they will grow up."
Transforming education in an age of AI, climate change and crises
Jane Mann, Cambridge’s Managing Director of the Partnership for Education and Director of Education, will share Cambridge’s expertise in transforming education at the Education World Forum (EWF), taking place from 19 to 22 May.