SEGi College Sarawak recently hosted a thought-provoking forum titled “Media Digitalization and Education Trend: Challenges and Opportunity” on 25 September 2024, attracting around 100 participants including students, staff, and invited guests. This collaborative event, organised by the Faculty of Communication, Design and IT alongside the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, provided a platform to explore the intersection of media digitalization and education, highlighting the opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving landscape.
The forum began with a welcome speech by Dr Susie Lau, Principal of SEGi College Sarawak, who questioned the increasing screen time and reliance on digital devices in everyday life, including education. Her thought-provoking insights set the tone for the subsequent discussions, which revolved around harnessing digital media trends to enhance educational outcomes. Moderated by students Arwen Zahra Raess and Jet Lee, the panel featured notable speakers including Noratikah Mohamad Ashari from UNIMAS, social media influencer Nick Jansen (also known as Global Gibbon), and Karen Ong Sheau Xin, PR and Event Management Manager at World Communications Network Resources.
The discussion addressed how technologies like virtual learning environments and digital tools are transforming education. A major highlight was the discourse on artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing role in both education and media industries. The panellists emphasised that while AI is a powerful tool, it is crucial to maintain authenticity and the human touch in media and education. This is consistent with findings from a UNESCO report, which underscores the importance of combining technological advancements with human-centred education to improve learning outcomes and ensure inclusivity.
With the rise of AI, it is estimated that digitalisation could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Forums like this, which educate students and staff on navigating these advancements, are pivotal in preparing them for future challenges. SEGi’s emphasis on such discussions demonstrates its commitment to equipping its students with knowledge that keeps pace with digital innovations while preserving key human elements in education and content creation.
The forum concluded by acknowledging that balancing digital advancement with human interaction is vital for maintaining creativity, authenticity, and meaningful learning experiences. SEGi College Sarawak’s EDUCOM 2024 served as a valuable space for exchanging ideas and sparking new initiatives for advancing education through digital media, paving the way for future developments in how digitalization can shape education.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals