Creativity, Education & Learning Beyond IR4.0

In the face of rapid technological development, with the Malaysian digital economy expected to contribute more than 25.5% to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025¹, tech visionaries are already forecasting the next revolution – the Fifth Industrial Revolution (IR 5.0), even though we merely started talking of IR 4.0 a few years ago.

Stepping into the era of IR 5.0, the tech world is embracing collaborative robot systems – Cobots. It is about integrating humans' efforts with smart technology. Humans will be no more scared of robots, rather, they will see them as working partners. 

In tandem with the emergence of the most disruptive technologies – 4D printing, Quantum Internet, Miniature AI, Brain-Computer interface, Smart Robots, Neuromorphic Hardware – there is a growing need to develop talents that can ride along with the wave of digital transformation. Preparing and nurturing the future-proof talents, therefore, requires constant review of the course curriculum as well as teaching & learning strategies. 

“Creativity, undoubtedly, is a key graduate attribute for the 21st century,” stated Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, APU Vice-Chancellor, “Learning takes place everywhere, be it in the classroom, out of the classroom, and in cyberspace. 

“We are no longer compartmentalising learning in specific spaces, rather, we adopt Teaching & Learning (T&L) strategies that encourage creativity. 

“Problem-based learning and project-based learning are two such strategies that emphasize knowledge discovery through exploration. This encourages the development of creativity,” Prof. Ho elaborated. 

According to him, creativity is the ability to produce original ideas and solutions that bring value. On the technology front, though there has been great progress in making computer programmes perform human-like tasks, yet, humans still have a distinctive edge in creativity. 

“While algorithms typically learn from existing information, humans have an innate ability to think out of the box. Rather than compete, we expect that technology will augment our creative ability,” added Prof. Ho. 

Recently, a survey done by the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the future of software and society showed, that people expect Artificial Intelligence (AI) machines to be part of a company’s board of directors by 2026².   

The above finding explains that while humans and machines are exploring a better way to work together, robots may help us to go where we want to be faster, but they can’t be as creative as humans. Hence, creativity will become one of the top three skills workers will need. 

On the concrete ways to nurture creative graduates, Prof. Ho opined, “We can bring together students from multiple disciplines to solve a challenge. Creative juices will start flowing when one is motivated by problems facing another discipline”. 

“Students should be encouraged to take part in competitions that embody real-world scenarios. Such an approach is called authentic learning – putting students in situations similar to what they will face in the workplace.”

For this, APU’s Teaching & Learning (T&L) blends both guided learning and independent learning approaches, said Prof. Ho, because independent learning gives space for students to explore and experiment with ideas, encouraging them to take responsibility for their learning. Whereas, guided learning will ensure that energy and focus are spent in the right places. 

With the above approaches, APU is fostering – Students, who are full of creativity; Graduates, who can develop innovative solutions in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world; Talents, who are creating a new world and new era that is reciprocal of digitality and creativity. 

The talent pipeline started here at APU has been proven by the latest Annual Graduate Tracer Study by the Higher Education Ministry, as it shows that 100% of APU graduates were employed upon graduation.

At APU, students will also have the option to opt-in for the APU-DMU dual degree scheme, where they will receive two sets of degree certificates and transcripts upon graduation: one from APU (Malaysia), and another from De Montfort University (United Kingdom). 

With DMU’s history of over 150 years in providing higher education to students from around the globe, this collaboration provides the students with a global outlook and shapes them into global citizens of IR 5.0.    

To check out more, visit www.apu.edu.my