SINCE the 2000s, 4.0 has been the code to mark the industrial revolution that is based on the use of cyberphysical systems, that is, interacting networks of physical and computational components.
Around the globe, many fields have been affected by the revolution, such as Healthcare 4.0 or Work 4.0.
Even the education sector is moving towards redesigning education for Industry 4.0. This offers opportunities for educators to improve teaching and learning.
The forum on the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Higher Education, organised by the Higher Education Ministry, demonstrates the need for our education system to respond to this revolution. Speakers and academics shared insights into how higher education should be in the future.
Tencent China vice-president S.Y. Lau listed “integrity” as the main value that all should embrace to ensure a bright future of the world.
Other criteria he listed are high curiosity, collaboration and being proactive. This means we cannot talk about technology without talking of values.
This relates to the question: for whom is technology invented? The answer is humans.
This means education should be designed in such a way that views knowledge as one. Knowledge should be compartmentalised in silos. By this, I mean knowledge should be interdisciplinary.
Scientists who work with technology must collaborate with social scientists for inventions to serve human purposes.
It is the role of education to enable knowledge, science and technology to solve human problems, untangle complex human issues and make life liveable.
Otherwise, education might just end up being getting the job done.
Dr Farhana Sabri
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan