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WISE, Qatar Foundation’s global initiative for education, has partnered with the Institute of International Education (IIE), Ashesi, and six other universities on a research effort to bring new insights into AI’s role in higher education and workforce skill development. The WISE Global Research Consortium on AI will do this through a series of studies, taking place across diverse geographical contexts over the next 12 months. These have been designed to provide an understanding of the integration of AI into curricula and practice, its role in closing the skills gap and preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of an AI-driven world of work.
Other consortium members taking part are Universidad Camilo Jose Cela (Spain), University of Pennsylvania (USA), Birla Institute of Technology & Science (India), Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan), Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar). The research will be led by IIE in close collaboration with WISE and the university consortium. WISE’s research unit will also manage the Qatar element of the study in partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
Speaking about the development of the consortium, Stavros Yiannouka, CEO of WISE, said: “As the world rapidly transitions into an AI-driven era, the education landscape is shifting with it. We need to delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and prepare students – and the future workforce – for the agility and resilience needed. As nations navigate the impact and potential of AI, higher education can build the bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills.”
Ashesi’s focus will be on understanding how AI is affecting learning and is already incorporated into curricula in Ghanaian higher education institutions. The Ashesi research team will also explore the perspective of employers in Ghana concerning their evolving needs with AI, and how they believe higher education institutions should respond and prepare students.
“Artificial intelligence presents a rare opportunity to bridge longstanding gaps in higher education outcomes across Africa,” says Associate Professor Joseph Adjei, a member of the Ashesi research team. “It enables personalised learning, augments teaching, and democratizes access to quality education. However, our ability to leverage this resource for success will depend on intentional capacity and infrastructure building, ethical use of AI in education, and understanding how to best deploy it in our different contexts.”
