22 to 27 September 2024, Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica, West Indies
Strand 1- Empowering Technical and Vocational learners
Skills for Industry 5.0: Research in this subtheme could explore equipping learners with the skills and knowledge required for the 5th industrial revolution. Topics could focus on robotics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Workforce Development and Apprenticeship: Research in this subtheme could focus on strategies for empowering students through apprenticeship programs and industry partnerships. Topics could explore apprenticeship models, work-integrated learning, and skill certification programs,
Bridging the Gender Gap: Research in this subtheme could address empowering underrepresented groups, particularly women, in technical and vocational education. Researchers could delve into gender diversity in STEM fields and eliminating gender bias in technical education.
AI and Skill Development: Research in this subtheme could focus on how AI can empower learners by enhancing their technical skills. Topics could include AI-based skill assessments, personalized learning pathways with AI, and AI-driven feedback mechanisms.
Strand 2- Equipping Institutions for Technical Excellence
Cutting-Edge Training facilities: Research in this subtheme could focus on examining the role of state-of-the art training facilities and infrastructure in technical and vocational education. Topics could include design principles for modern technical labs, digitalization of vocational training and facility management.
Curriculum Innovation: Research in this subtheme could focus on equipping institutions with innovative curricula that meet industry demands. Topics could include curriculum design for emerging technical fields, competency-based education, and industry feedback mechanisms.
Industry-Academia Collaboration: Research in this subtheme could examine effective models of collaboration between technical institutions and industries. Topics could include industry advisory boards, joint research projects and internships that could equip students with real-world skills.
AI Curriculum Innovation: Research in this subtheme could focus on designing AI- centric curricula for technical and vocational programs. Topics could include AI ethics in curriculum development interdisciplinary AI courses and industry partnerships in AI education.
Strand 3- Excelling in Technical and Vocational Education
Pedagogical Excellence: Research in this subtheme could highlight best practices in teaching and learning within technical and vocational education. Topics could include effective teaching methodologies, assessment techniques and pedagogical innovations.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Research in this theme could focus on equipping learners with an entrepreneurial mindset and fostering innovation in technical
fields. Topics could include entrepreneurship education, startup incubators within institutions and innovation hubs.
Quality Assurance and Accreditation: Research in this subtheme could examine mechanisms for ensuring the quality of technical and vocational education programs. Topics could cover accreditation standards, quality assurance processes, and industry-recognized certifications.
AI and Workforce Readiness: Research in this subtheme could examine how AI can prepare students for the workforce, Topics could include AI in job placement, AI certifications for vocational students and AI in career counseling.
Strand 4- Private Sector Collaboration for Empowering Technical and Vocational
Education
Industry Partnerships for Empowering Learners: Research in this subtheme could highlight successful collaborations between educational institutions and the private sector to empower learners with industry-relevant skills. Presentations could examine case studies of innovative partnerships that have enhanced students’ employability and preparedness for Industry 5.0.
Workforce Development through Private Sector Engagement: Research in this subtheme could investigate how the private sector is actively involved in workforce development initiatives, including apprenticeships and upskilling programmes. Presentations could showcase best practices and outcomes of private sector-driven workforce development efforts.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Partnership with Private Enterprises: Research in this subtheme could highlight initiatives and strategies employed by private sector organizations to bridge gender gaps and promote diversity in technical and vocational education. Presentations could discuss the impact of such initiatives on creating inclusive learning environments.
Leveraging AI and Technology in Collaboration with Private Industry: Research in this subtheme could examine how AI and technology are being harnessed in partnership with private sector companies to enhance technical and vocational education. Presentations could showcase innovative AI-driven projects and industry collaborations that have improved learning outcomes.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Education: Research in this subtheme could explore how corporate social responsibility initiatives of private enterprises are contributing to educational empowerment. Presentations could discuss case studies of CSR projects that have had a positive impact on technical and vocational education.
Industry Role in Quality Assurance and Accreditation: Research in this subtheme co4583uld examine the role of the private sector in establishing quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms for technical education programmes. Presentations could delve into the experiences and outcomes of industry-driven accreditation processes.