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Shaping the Global Discussion on AI Education: EdITH Founding Director Now Part of AIEOU

Dr. Manuel B. Garcia recently joined the interdisciplinary research hub AI in Education at Oxford University (AIEOU).

January 8, 2025

Newsroom

Dr. Manuel B. Garcia, the Founding Director of the Educational Innovation and Technology Hub (EdITH) of the FEU Institute of Technology, recently became part of the prestigious AI in Education at Oxford University (AIEOU), an outstanding interdisciplinary research hub based at the Department of Education, University of Oxford.

AIEOU brings together scholars worldwide to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) transforms education. The research hub presents an opportunity for its members to collaborate with brilliant minds and share their ideas to contribute to shaping the global conversation on the design, regulation, implementation, and impact of AI in education.

Starting 2025 With A Bang

Dr. Garcia considers being part of the AIEOU a distinct honor as it puts him alongside impressive minds who share the same vision of leveraging AI in technology.

The EdITH Founding Director has achieved numerous milestones, further solidifying his unwavering commitment to education and his dedication to leveraging the power of technology to make it a valuable tool in our daily lives.

In September, the 2024 Elsevier and Scopus citation rankings again ranked him among the top two percent of scientists globally. He was ranked sixth in the Philippines and 35,182nd globally.

Meanwhile, in August, the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) also named Dr. Garcia as the inaugural recipient of the Ramon Dimacali Award for Information Technology.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB), a government organization under the Department of Education (DepEd), also designated Dr. Garcia as a Registered Author/Writer. This esteemed position can boost credibility in the publishing industry and is a type of government recognition.

These are just a handful of the honors he received the previous year.

Representing His Country and Institution

Dr. Manuel B. Garcia's recent induction into the AIEOU marks a significant milestone for the FEU Institute of Technology and the Philippines on the global stage. As the Founding Director of EdITH, Dr. Garcia has consistently championed the transformative power of artificial intelligence in education.

His membership in AIEOU provides him with a unique platform to collaborate with leading researchers worldwide, share his innovative ideas, and contribute to shaping the global discourse on AI in education. This international exposure elevates the FEU Institute of Technology profile, positioning it as a key player in the evolving landscape of AI-powered education.

By representing the Philippines within this esteemed network, Dr. Garcia is an ambassador for the country's growing expertise in AI and education. His insights and contributions will benefit the FEU Institute of Technology and inspire and guide the development of AI-driven educational initiatives across the Philippines and beyond.

A Timely Achievement

While being part of the AIEOU is already a significant milestone for Dr. Garcia, it’s also timely as EdITH, under Dr. Garcia’s supervision, is currently developing AI-driven applications to make the student journey and their education more meaningful.

One example is the "Scientists Teaching Future Scientists" project, which envisions a virtual world where non-playable characters (NPCs) are empowered with AI capabilities to simulate real-world teaching and mentorship. EdITH envisions it to be a pioneering feature in its immersive educational metaverse, MILES Virtual World, which has won several awards for its other projects, like celebrating school events in the metaverse.

This project will explore the use of NPCs inspired by renowned scientists such as Albert Einstein. These NPCs, imbued with AI-driven expertise and conversational abilities, can guide students through complex scientific concepts, answer their questions in real-time, and even challenge them with problem-solving scenarios.

Dr. Garcia's membership in AIEOU is a testament to his dedication to excellence and his commitment to using technology to improve the quality of education for all. This significant achievement reflects positively on his institution and the Philippines on the global stage.

Written by: Patricia Bianca S. Taculao-Deligero

Patricia Bianca S. Taculao-Deligero is a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. She has an extensive portfolio from working in various local media outlets, with articles focusing on lifestyle, entertainment, agriculture, technology, and local government units, among other subjects. Her specialty is in feature writing. She is also proficient in news writing.