Inaugural ETI Salon showcases PolyU’s strategic vision for Education 4.0 and AI-Driven pedagogy

On 31 October 2025, the inaugural Education Transformation and Innovation (ETI) Salon was held at the PolyU campus, marking a significant milestone in the University’s journey toward Education 4.0 (E4.0). Moderated by Professor CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education), the event attracted 100 in-person participants from various departments, reflecting a strong cross-disciplinary interest in the future of AI-driven pedagogy.

Professor Cao opened the session by outlining the strategic vision for PolyU E4.0, a major initiative designed to harness AI and smart technologies to enhance student competitiveness. He emphasised that as Generation Alpha—the first truly AI-native cohort—enters higher education, the University must undergo a fundamental paradigm shift from teacher-centered to student-centered learning. This transformation involves not only adopting new tools but also reimagining curriculum, pedagogy, and infrastructure. Professor Cao introduced a staged six-year roadmap for full digital and AI integration, supported by newly established units such as the Education Innovation Committee (EIC) and the Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD).

The salon featured a panel of experts who shared diverse perspectives on implementing this transformation. Mr Edward SHEN, Registrar, provided a comprehensive stock-taking of PolyU’s pioneering role in AI education, highlighting the compulsory Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (AIDA) component and the reduction of credit requirements in Majors to allow students more flexibility for interdisciplinary exploration. Dr Jane ROBBINS, Interim Director of the English Language Centre (ELC), discussed the upcoming "AI-as-a-Tool for Language Learning" subject. She emphasised that while AI can assist in drafting, students must develop critical language awareness and ethical literacy to refine AI-generated content—a model that shifts the teacher’s role toward that of a facilitator and mentor.

Disciplinary applications of these innovations were further explored by Professor Jing CAI, Head of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics (HTI), and Professor Wu CHEN, Head of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI). Professor Cai showcased how VR simulations and AI-driven personalisation are revolutionising clinical healthcare education. Meanwhile, Professor Chen addressed the challenges of data governance and ethics in geomatics, noting that students often adopt AI tools faster than staff, which necessitates a collaborative approach to learning and the integration of AI-powered spatial data tools into the curriculum.

The session concluded with a lively question-and-answer period, where participants discussed the complexities of moving toward competence-based education in the AI era. Professor Cao underscored that the success of PolyU E4.0 depends on a unified ecosystem where academic departments and administrative units work in tandem. He called for continued collaboration across the University to ensure that PolyU remains at the forefront of educational innovation, transforming university operations to better serve the needs of a rapidly evolving digital landscape.