University 4.0:new education technologies in the digital economy

Abstract

The new, often called the fourth, industrial revolution, which is often named "Industry 4.0", is a quite expected event, which is systematically and sufficiently detailed described in the forecast studies of scientists from many countries starting from the beginning of the 20th century. Defining the concept of the economy in the framework of Industry 4.0, we can note its main features: digitalization of products and services; digitalization and integration of vertical and horizontal value chains; digital business models and customer access through digital platforms. In fact, we are talking about the mass introduction of cyberphysical systems (CPS) based on the Internet of Things (IoT), self-regulating printing electronics factories in three-dimensional printing (3D), big data (BD) and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Digital technologies are not being implemented in a fragmented way, but in a systematic way: not only in the production of material goods, but also in almost all spheres of society and the individual, including his work, education, life, and leisure. All these closely related digital technologies are the prerequisites for the coming digital revolution, and more precisely, digital technologies determine its essential characteristics, so we can conclude that the world is entering the digital age. In this regard, the training of specialists who are ready to work in the conditions of the wide and continuous development of digital technologies has been put into practice in universities not only developed but also in developing countries, and the model of a digital university (University 4.0) is being implemented with the support of leading digital companies. However, as the analysis conducted by the authors showed, the current system of university education in many countries, including Russia, despite the introduction of information and communication technologies, is still behind the needs of the emerging digital economy. And even in the leading universities of the world, while training specialists who are ready to effectively work with digital technologies for humanity, especially AI technologies, little attention has been paid to the mental and psychological factors of a new generation of future specialists who are ready to use these technologies effectively and safely for humanity. The article presents the results of a study of new sociotechnological factors that will affect the educational technologies of University 4.0.

The Era of Digitalization in Education where do Universities 4.0 Go?

“…Facebook, which changed its name to Meta, has said that it would launch ten digital universities as model campuses throughout the US in 2021 [57]. Consequently, University 5.0 is set to be executed shortly, bolstered by prominent digital enterprises [58]. Furthermore, China Communication University has partnered with search engine Baidu's metaverse platform XiRang to establish its digital campus [59].…”

Pedagogical Model for Raising Students’ Readiness for the Transition to University 4.0

“…As a digital university model, University 4.0 was inspired by the Industry 4.0 paradigm covering all areas of social life with innovative digital technologies. Hence, it is natural that today's academic world is in need of two points: professionals trained according to the new educational pattern and more efforts to increase the readiness of educators and students to fully transition to it [10,11]. In general, University 4.0 uses the concept proposed by Industry 4.0.…”