The ability to master artificial intelligence (AI) is considered\ninsufficient to prepare university graduates for the increasingly rapid\nchanges in the world of work. Higher education institutions are now\nrequired not only to teach the use of technology but also to build deep\nthinking skills, character, and soft skills.<\/p>\n
This view was expressed by the Executive President of Xi\u2019an\nJiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), Professor Youmin Xi, during an\nXJTLU Media Session in Jakarta on Wednesday (24\/6). According to him, AI\nshould be positioned as a tool to strengthen the learning process, not\nto replace the role of education or humans.<\/p>\n
\"This year is our university\u2019s 20th anniversary. The future world\nneeds a new pillar, namely individuals who can work alongside AI,\" said\nProfessor Xi.<\/p>\n
He explained that the introduction of AI at XJTLU is carried out in\nstages from the beginning of the study period. In the first year,\nstudents learn what AI is, how to use it, and AI ethics. Entering the\nsecond year, students begin to be directed to use AI appropriately in\nvarious disciplines, such as Mathematics, Engineering, or Social\nSciences. In the third year, AI is utilised to assist the research\nprocess so that students\u2019 understanding deepens.<\/p>\n
Professor Xi stressed that XJTLU\u2019s educational philosophy is not to\nmake AI the centre of learning. The technology is placed as an\ninstrument to improve the quality of education. \"We use AI to support\neducation, to upgrade, restructure, and reshape. But we do not want to\nuse AI to replace education. If there are humans, education will survive\nthroughout the ages. Our philosophy is X plus AI, not AI plus X,\" he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
With this approach, students are not only directed to become\ntechnology users but are also able to understand the context,\nlimitations, and ethical impacts of AI use. This is considered important\nso that graduates can adapt to the ever-changing needs of the global job\nmarket.<\/p>\n
In addition to equipping students with technological literacy, XJTLU\nalso emphasises the importance of comprehensive thinking skills.\nProfessor Xi stated that higher education needs to help students build\nwisdom, namely the ability to think deeply and exercise prudence in\ndecision-making.<\/p>\n
\"Our education model is how we can help students grow with the\nability to think quickly and full of wisdom. They can develop various\nabilities, even collaborate in developing knowledge,\" said Professor\nXi.<\/p>\n
He added that the development of this wisdom is carried out by\nintegrating knowledge from Western and Eastern perspectives. This\ncombination is expected to shape graduates who are not only academically\ncapable but also able to see issues from various viewpoints.<\/p>\n
This educational approach is applied in a multicultural campus\nenvironment. XJTLU has teaching staff from more than 60 countries and\nregions, while its students come from nearly 100 countries and regions.\n\"XJTLU has teaching staff from more than 60 different countries and\nregions from all over the world. And our students also come from nearly\n100 different countries and regions, so students on our campus are\naccustomed to an atmosphere of diverse cultures,\" said Professor Xi.<\/p>\n
This cross-cultural learning environment is considered an important\npart of shaping students\u2019 communication, collaboration, and adaptation\nskills. These competencies are increasingly needed amidst a job market\nthat demands flexibility and openness to change.<\/p>\n
Currently, XJTLU offers more than 100 study programmes in various\nfields, ranging from science, engineering, and business to finance,\narchitecture, urban planning, languages, and culture. All programmes are\ntaught in English, except for general and basic courses. Undergraduate\nstudents earn two degrees simultaneously, namely a degree from XJTLU\nrecognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education and a globally\nrecognised degree from the University of Liverpool. Meanwhile,\npostgraduate students earn a degree from the University of Liverpool.\nAll academic departments also offer doctoral programmes as part of\nstrengthening the university\u2019s research.<\/p>\n
The development of non-academic competencies is also felt by\nIndonesian alumna Tuty Julfa. According to her, the learning experience\nat XJTLU not only improved academic abilities but also shaped character\nand interpersonal skills useful in the world of work. \"I feel very\nfortunate to have studied at XJTLU, primarily because it was not only\nhard skills but also soft skills for my career development. So it is not\njust the academic field but also interpersonal skills, how we hone\npersistence and perseverance,\" said Tuty, who now runs a business in the\nfashion retail sector.<\/p>\n
According to Tuty, seemingly simple things like persistence,\nperseverance, and the ability to interact actually play a major role in\nshaping graduates\u2019 readiness to face the world of work.<\/p>\n
Interest among Indonesian students in XJTLU\u2019s educational approach\nalso continues to increase. Indonesia is currently the largest\ninternational market for XJTLU, with around 700 Indonesian students\ncurrently studying. For the September 2026 intake, the number of\nundergraduate programme applications from Indonesia has exceeded 1,500,\nor about 38 per cent of total international applications.<\/p>\n
Along with this growing interest, XJTLU is strengthening its presence\nin Indonesia. After opening an official representative office in 2024,\nthe university added recruitment staff in June this year to expand\nservices for prospective students. XJTLU is also establishing\npartnerships with several universities in Indonesia, including Binus\nUniversity, the University of Indonesia, and the Bandung Institute of\nTechnology.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mastering-ai-alone-is-not-enough-university-graduates-need-wisdom-and-soft-skills-1782395530", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }