Nilai, Negeri Sembilan – 28 July 2026 – MILA University hosted the 2026 Malaysia–China Academic Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education on 28 and 29 July 2026, bringing together academics, researchers, higher education leaders, industry experts, and students from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and India.
Co-hosted by the Hong Kong Standard Research & Training Institute, the conference explored how artificial intelligence can support educational transformation across disciplines while strengthening international academic collaboration. The programme was developed around the theme, “Artificial Intelligence Empowering Multidisciplinary Educational Transformation and Cross-Border Collaboration”.
Preparing Higher Education for an AI-Enabled Future
The conference opened with welcoming speeches by Dr. Jenny Yang Juanjuan, Acting Vice Chancellor of MILA University, and Professor Liu Lixin, Dean of the School of Statistics at the University of International Business and Economics, China.
Dr. Jenny highlighted the growing influence of AI on education, research, industry, and society. She stressed that universities must prepare students to understand AI’s implications and limitations, while ensuring its adoption remains ethical, inclusive, transparent, and human-centred.
Professor Liu reflected on how AI is breaking down traditional disciplinary boundaries and shifting education from knowledge transmission towards competency development. He highlighted the need to strengthen problem-solving, critical thinking, and human–AI collaboration, while expressing hope for deeper Malaysia–China cooperation in AI and education.
Building on these priorities, the keynote presentations examined AI readiness from several interconnected perspectives, ranging from changes in education and the workplace to human-centred learning and institutional capability. The discussions considered how education can keep pace with the emerging AI economy, how AI is influencing areas such as human resource management, and how institutions can create intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments.
These perspectives were presented by Associate Professor Dr. Sugumaran a/l Selladurai, Dean of the School of Management and Business at MILA University; Professor Li Zhongbin, Head of Human Resource Management at Fujian A&F University; Dr. Made Hery Santosa of Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Indonesia; and Ms. Tham Yi Yin, Account Manager at QS, who introduced the QS AI Capability Framework as a guide to institutional readiness.
Across the presentations, a consistent message emerged: preparing for an AI-enabled future requires more than adopting new technology. Universities must also rethink teaching and learning, strengthen AI literacy, and equip graduates with critical thinking, ethical awareness, digital skills, and professional judgement.
Connecting Innovation with Responsible Practice
This wider question of institutional readiness was explored further through two panel discussions featuring academic and industry perspectives from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Moderated by Professor Ir. Dr. Tiu Zian Cheak of MILA University, the first panel discussion examined the development and practice of AI education in China and Malaysia, covering smart education policies, curriculum design, and potential models for cross-border cooperation. The panellists were Dr. Nova Tan, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Standard Research & Training Institute; Professor Liu Lixin, Dean of the School of Statistics at the University of International Business and Economics; Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Goh Choon Hian of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman; and ChM Dr. Teh Geok Bee, Independent Non-Executive Director of Zantat Holdings Berhad.
The second panel, moderated by Ms. Anis Laila Yap, Chief Operating Officer of MILA University, considered how higher education institutions can balance AI-driven innovation with governance, operations, and security. Its panellists were Professor Xiong Wei, Head of the Department of Data Science at the University of International Business and Economics; Professor Dr. Putu Kerti Nitiasih of Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha; Dr. HC Aslam Khan, Academic Director and Vice Chairman of ERICAN Education Group; and Ir. Ts. Dr. Tham Mau Luen, General Manager and Head of AI Research at Berjaya Corporation Berhad.
Together, the panels reinforced the importance of adopting AI within clear institutional frameworks that protect academic integrity and privacy while supporting responsible decision-making. They also reaffirmed the role of educators and institutions in ensuring that technology strengthens, rather than diminishes, the human dimension of education.
The exchange extended beyond the keynote presentations and panels through parallel academic forums, expert sharing sessions, workshops, and guidance on academic publication. These sessions gave participants further opportunities to share research, consider emerging practices, and connect with peers from different institutions and disciplines.
From Dialogue to Academic Collaboration
The perspectives and connections developed throughout the conference also paved the way for closer academic engagement among the participating institutions.
The conference also marked the appointment of several distinguished academics as Adjunct Professors of MILA University. Bringing valuable expertise and scholarly experience to the University, the newly appointed Adjunct Professors will contribute to MILA’s teaching, research, and wider academic initiatives. Through these appointments, MILA University continues to enrich its academic community, promote knowledge exchange, and create greater opportunities for collaboration in education and research.
By connecting discussions on responsible AI with opportunities for research exchange and institutional collaboration, the conference reflected MILA University’s continued commitment to academic excellence, international engagement, and future-ready education. It also provided a platform for universities across the region to consider how AI can be adopted thoughtfully while keeping people, ethics, and educational purpose at its centre.
