KATHMANDU, JULY 31
The UNESCO Office in Kathmandu organized a broad stakeholder consultation on AI in Education in Nepal, bringing together over eighty diverse stakeholders to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the education sector, on Tuesday. This initiative aligns with UNESCO's mission to promote inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Globally, AI is revolutionizing the education system with its power to personalize learning experiences and address disparities in access to knowledge. For a country like Nepal, which is making strides in ensuring quality education for all, advancing AI in education is increasingly important and relevant. The consultation marks a crucial step for Nepal's education system. By integrating AI, Nepal aims to prepare its students for a future where technology and education go hand in hand, ensuring that advancements contribute to closing the education gap and promoting lifelong learning.
"Challenges such as data quality, accuracy, user competency, and AI ethics persist. With the rapid pace of ICT development globally, we must adapt to stay competitive. Integrating AI into our education curriculum to meet our needs and enhance our capacity to tackle future challenges is essential. This consultation will be invaluable in further improving the ICT in Education Masterplan," said Baikuntha Prasad Aryal, Joint Secretary, Planning Division, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The consultation brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, educators, tech experts, and students, to discuss AI's role in Nepal's education system. Together, they identified opportunities and challenges to effectively integrate AI into education, guided by UNESCO's comprehensive "Artificial Intelligence and Education: Guidance for Policymakers."
Fengchun Miao, Chief of the Unit for Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education at UNESCO, joined virtually to present UNESCO's global initiatives. Through the presentation, participants were informed about the opportunities, challenges, and implications of integrating AI in education. Miao further shared impactful and effective examples of UNESCO's work on AI globally to set the ground before the participants delved into discussions and presented their opinions.
The goal was to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of AI in education within the context of Nepal, ensuring that all perspectives are considered in shaping an inclusive and equitable educational framework integrating technology. Through a series of participatory approaches, participants provided insightful recommendations and opinions regarding priority areas in Nepal, the roles and support of relevant stakeholders, including the government, in integrating AI into education, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and accessibility, as well as the importance of robust policies and regulations. These insights will help develop strategic action plans in partnership with the Ministry of Education to foster an inclusive, AI-enhanced educational framework in Nepal.
"We all understand why we need to talk more about AI, especially in education, but also it is time for a structured approach to that conversation. Today your inputs will help set the foundation for a more informed approach moving forward, with a view to putting in place strategies and sequence," said Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Nepal.
Through collaborative discussions, stakeholders recommended strategies for integrating AI in education, promoting inclusivity, and developing policies to regulate AI use. This consultation aims to lay the foundation for strategic action plans that will transform Nepal's education system, preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world. This consultation marks a critical step towards harnessing AI's potential to enhance educational outcomes in Nepal.
