AI in HE: Developing practices for low-cost solutions with the Divine Word University

About

This collaborative project between the Divine Word University (DWU) and the University of Melbourne aims to develop a joint program for sharing best practice in engaging with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in higher education.

DWU, the first Papua New Guinea university to develop a GenAI policy, seeks to become a regional model. UoM's Centre for the Study of Higher Education, Australia's leading HE research centre, has shaped institutional GenAI responses. The project will address the urgent need for effective and affordable solutions in a low-resource country, using DWU as a testing and demonstration case for universities in PNG and the Pacific.

Responding to the rapid integration of AI across the HE sector, the project focuses on three interconnected areas essential for building institutional readiness in resource-constrained contexts.

Responding to the rapid integration of AI across the HE sector, the project focuses on three interconnected areas essential for building institutional readiness in resource-constrained contexts:

  • AI literacy across teaching, learning, research, and administrative functions;
  • support the development of AI policy and governance frameworks that promote ethical, transparent and context-appropriate use of AI technologies within universities;
  • assessment design and facilitation through the integration of AI-enabled approaches.

Timeframe

January 2026 - March 2027

Funding

This project was funded by Tetra Tech International Development under Higher Education Partnerships Grant

Project team

University of Melbourne

  • Prof Raoul Mulder, Professor of Higher Education, Centre for the Study of Higher Education (Project lead)
  • Dr Mat Hardy, Senior Lecturer, Centre for the Study of Higher Education
  • Dr Tracii Ryan, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Higher Education
  • Dr Leah Schwartz, Director, Academic Strategy

Divine Word University

  • Prof Iwona Kolodziejczyk, Vice President Academic Affairs (Project lead)
  • Picky Airi, Director Centre for Learning and Teaching
  • Hobson Arro, Moodle Administrator
  • Liam Aldan, Moodle Course Designer
  • Lyall Tndid Dalle, Head of Department, Mathematics and Computing Sciences

Outcomes

Publication of Practical Guide and delivery of regional webinars for Papua New Guinea and Pacific universities.

Enquiries

For more information on this CSHE project, please contact Prof Raoul Mulder.