South Asia is witnessing a transformative moment in higher education as artificial intelligence (AI) promises to reshape teaching, learning, and institutional operations. However, alongside this potential comes urgent questions regarding policy readiness, faculty capacity, digital inclusion, ethical governance, and the alignment of higher education systems with rapidly evolving labour markets.
Experts emphasize that advancing AI in universities requires not only technological innovation, but also clear policy frameworks, institutional preparedness, and cross-sector collaboration.
Across the region, universities are exploring AI-driven approaches to create more flexible, inclusive, and effective learning environments. Yet, one of the most pressing challenges remains the gender divide in AI, which disproportionately affects girls and women in South Asia. Addressing this gap is essential to fostering an inclusive and equitable AI ecosystem. As Shafika Isaacs highlighted in her keynote speech, achieving gender equity in AI education and workplaces demands sustained commitment, well beyond deploying advanced AI models. UNESCO stands ready to support this endeavor, promoting policies and practices that enable full participation of women and girls in AI-driven higher education.
Many systems in the region, however, continue to face obstacles, including uneven digital infrastructure, limited AI competencies among educators, fragmented policy frameworks, and insufficient collaboration between academia and industry. Without targeted interventions, these gaps risk exacerbating existing inequalities. Experts stress that AI integration must be guided by ethical standards, inclusivity, and alignment with national development priorities.
A regional policy dialogue held in Kathmandu, jointly organized by UNESCO Kathmandu, Tribhuvan University, the Asian Development Bank, and UNESCO-ICHEI, underscored these challenges and opportunities. The discussions highlighted the urgent need to strengthen policies for AI adoption, invest in professional development for educators, foster stronger industry-academia partnerships, and understand the implications of generative AI for higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Preparing the higher education workforce for an AI-enabled future emerged as a key priority. Strengthening digital competencies and AI literacy among educators is critical, alongside ensuring ethical, high-quality, and inclusive application of AI technologies. The recent launch of the IIOE Nepal National Centre at Tribhuvan University exemplifies national efforts to build sustainable capacity, supporting institutions as they navigate digital transformation.
The dialogue also emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking. The launch of the Report on Digital Transformation in Higher Education in South Asia provides timely insights to guide governments and universities beyond experimental initiatives toward coherent, forward-looking AI strategies. Experts agree that such knowledge is essential to ensure AI adoption benefits all learners, while advancing equity and innovation in higher education.