KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) hosted a workshop yesterday (May 8) on artificial intelligence (AI) for over 30 secondary school teachers from Bau to equip rural educators with essential digital skills.
The workshop aimed to enhance teaching strategies and empower educators to integrate AI into their classrooms, fostering digital literacy in remote areas.
The one-day event, part of the Digitalising Bau initiative, was held in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), the Bau District Education Office, and SMK Lake.
Teachers from several schools in the district, including SMK Lake, SMK Paku, SMK Singai, and SMK Bau, participated in the workshop, gaining hands-on experience with AI tools and exploring their applications in lesson planning and assessment.
Led by Associate Professor Dr Miko Chang May Lee, head of the School of Information and Communication Technologies at Swinburne Sarawak, the workshop offered a practical introduction to AI fundamentals along with key ethical considerations such as data privacy and bias, giving participants a well-rounded understanding of the technology.
“We wanted to ensure that the content was not just theoretical but practical, with real-world applications that could be directly implemented in the classroom,” Chang said.
“This approach ensures that participants leave the workshop with actionable strategies they can immediately apply.”
The event was further enriched by a keynote address from Professor Dr Patrick Then, founding CEO of the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC), who highlighted the role of AI in driving innovation across key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, urban development, and education in Sarawak.
He also emphasised the value of inclusive innovation and community engagement in these digital advancements.
By the end of the workshop, participants were better equipped to integrate AI technologies into their teaching practices, enhancing the learning experience for students in rural areas.
