KOTA SAMARAHAN: Education must encompass not only cognitive development but also emotional intelligence, adaptability, creativity and critical thinking, said Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
He said education is one of the most important perspectives in research and innovation during the transition from Education 4.0 to Education 5.0.
“Research and innovative practices are completely in line with this paradigm shift and the learning experiences can be more tailored to individual learners based on a deeper understanding of their needs and differences.
“This understanding comes from ongoing research, since every generation is different from the previous ones.
“We cannot base our current practices for generation Z on research findings about millennials,” he said when officiating at the opening of the International Conference on Education Research and Innovation (ICERI2023) in Kota Samarahan today.
“Firstly, there is a move to focus on ‘real skills’, referring to skills that go beyond school subjects and technical knowledge, as well as recognising the importance of social emotional skills.
“We cannot avoid interacting with others, no matter how virtual the world becomes, but we have to learn new ways of interacting in the current context of cross border collaboration and borderless communication,” he said.
He said engaging in educational research and innovation is not merely the “icing on the cake” or just a bonus.
“It is, in fact the means to unleash the full potential of education and enable learners of all ages to thrive personally, contribute meaningfully to society and navigate the complex challenges of our ever evolving world.
“Let us recognise the power of research and innovation in education and commit to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, in which curiosity, experimentation, and creativity fuel our collective journey towards a brighter educational future,” he added.
