06/08/2026
Preparing Students for an AI-Enabled Future
ACER’s longstanding relationships in Brunei Darussalam have been built through collaborative partnerships with government and education stakeholders across curriculum development, educational research and digital capability.
This partnership has been reflected in several recent initiatives, including ACER Chief Executive Officer Lisa Rodgers’ participation in the Digital Economy Forum, her appointment as Australia’s Business Champion for Brunei Darussalam, and ACER’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education on the development of the Brunei Darussalam Digital Literacy and AI Standards and related curriculum. Lisa’s Business Champion role recognises the important contribution of education, research and skills in strengthening long-term connections between Australia and Brunei Darussalam.
This shared commitment to education, digital capability and future-ready learning continued at the Digital Future Conference and Exhibition (DFCE) 2026.
Puan Kris Sundarsagar, Country Manager, of ACER in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, delivered a presentation titled “Preparing Students for an AI World: Why Digital Capability Matters More than Digital Skills.”
Her presentation posed a timely question:
If artificial intelligence can already write reports, generate code, analyse data and create presentations, what should schools teach next?
The presentation argued that while digital skills enable students to use technology, digital capability equips them to thrive with technologies that do not yet exist.
As artificial intelligence evolves faster than curriculum can be updated, education systems must focus on the capabilities that endure-critical thinking, creativity, ethical judgement, adaptability and lifelong learning. Technology will continue to change, but these human capabilities will remain fundamental.
Four priorities were highlighted for education systems:
- Develop digital capability beyond proficiency with specific technologies.
- Promote the responsible, ethical and critical use of artificial intelligence.
- Invest in teacher capability to support meaningful classroom practice.
- Assess learners’ ability to apply technology to solve problems, collaborate effectively and exercise sound judgement.
Together, these priorities shift the focus from preparing students to use today’s technologies to preparing them to succeed in tomorrow’s world.
Kris also represented ACER in the panel discussion, “From Learning to Capability: Preparing Students for Real-World Digital Work,” alongside representatives from the Ministry of Education, Universiti Teknologi Brunei and Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
The discussion explored the digital and human capabilities students will need as technology reshapes the workplace, and how stronger partnerships between education providers and employers can create authentic learning experiences and clearer pathways into future careers.
One of the key messages emerging from both the presentation and the panel was that the future of education is not defined by artificial intelligence.
It is defined by developing learners who can use technology confidently, ethically and purposefully to solve real-world problems.
Technology will continue to evolve.
Our responsibility is to ensure that learners can evolve with it.
ACER values its ongoing collaboration with partners in Brunei Darussalam as the nation advances its ambitions under Wawasan Brunei 2035 and continues to build a digitally capable, future-ready society.
