Wuhan: H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, led a delegation to the 2025 World Digital Education Conference held in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, on May 14. The summit was hosted under the theme ‘Education Development and Transformation: The Era of Intelligence’, organised by China’s Ministry of Education, the National Commission for UNESCO of China, and the Hubei Provincial Government.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, in his keynote speech, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron highlighted seven core priorities for education transformation in the digital age. The first priority emphasized the need for a vision for educational transformation, which includes a shift toward personalized and data-driven learning, balanced with human values, in response to AI and big data technologies.
The second priority focused on equity and digital inclusion, urging efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide and address gender gaps and socio-economic inequalities. Dr. Naron recognized digital literacy as a basic right and advocated for access to affordable digital tools and localized content, particularly in developing countries.
The third priority involved the integration of smart technologies in learning. Dr. Naron advocated for the use of AI in learning, prediction, and analysis, while promoting hybrid learning models that combine digital and human interaction. He stressed collaboration between teachers and AI rather than replacement.
The fourth priority was empowering teachers in the digital age. Dr. Naron encouraged teachers to evolve from knowledge transmitters to designers of smart learning environments, supported by continuous professional development in digital skills, creativity, and well-being.
The fifth priority dealt with strengthening policy, governance, and innovation ecosystems. Dr. Naron called for data-driven, proactive educational systems with responsive curricula, assessment, and teacher training that meet the demands of digital literacy and future skills. This includes frameworks for AI ethics, data privacy, and edtech quality.
The sixth priority emphasized promoting international cooperation and knowledge exchange, highlighting the importance of global partnerships and intergovernmental collaboration to share best practices and pilot innovative educational technologies.
The seventh and final priority focused on building 21st-century skills, aiming to develop youth with social-emotional intelligence, adaptability, creativity, digital fluency, and active citizenship. Under the guiding principle of ‘intelligence with compassion’, Dr. Naron emphasized the need for technology to serve human development.
The conference brought together global leaders, educators, and policymakers to discuss the future of education in a rapidly evolving technological world.