Going Dutch

The Quality Assurance Agency's Eve Alcock and Dr Kerr Castle spoke last week at the European Quality Assurance Forum, which took place at the University of Twente in the city of Enschede in the Netherlands.

The 2024 Forum focused on enhancing education, research and societal engagement through quality assurance.

QAA's Director of Public Affairs, Eve took part in a panel discussion which explored the challenges posed to higher education by generative artificial intelligence. 

'The ubiquity of GenAI necessitates transformation in higher education,' Eve said. 'It is neither feasible nor desirable to try and "put the genie back in the bottle". Now, higher education sectors across the globe will need to embrace AI, with appropriate safeguards and caveats, in order to future-proof provision, support students into the labour market, and realise its potential to facilitate, democratise and deepen learning.

'As generative AI continues to revolutionise the educational landscape, higher education institutions must adapt their practices to harness its potential while mitigating its challenges. This necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes redefining academic integrity, revamping assessment methods, addressing the digital divide, developing AI literacy, prioritising ethical AI, and adapting quality assurance practices. By proactively addressing these issues, higher education institutions can position themselves at the forefront of the AI-driven future, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.'

Later at the conference, Kerr was joined by Dr Fredrick Agboma from Liverpool John Moores University to consider strategies to increase the impact of enhancement initiatives through institutional partnerships. They presented QAA's programme of Collaborative Enhancement Projects as an example of effective practice in this area – and exploring in detail the Student Intrapreneur and Entrepreneur project which a team from Liverpool John Moores led in partnership with colleagues from Oxford Brookes University and the University of Chester.

'We believe the sector thrives when we embrace opportunities for dialogue, exchange ideas, learn from each other, and share experiences, successes and missteps,' they said. 'These collaborative efforts can drive meaningful change in higher education – by ensuring parity among institutional participants, building strong team relationships, involving students and alumni as partners, and engaging the wider academic community.'