Can AI and universities coexist, or will technology make degrees redundant? Dr Najihah Abd Razak, writing in an opinion piece dated Oct 23, says degrees will survive. Her warning is that institutions still rewarding memorisation may struggle to justify their relevance.
The debate started with a parent who predicted that universities might no longer exist by the time their four-year-old child enrols. Dr Najihah found the remark unsettling but not unreasonable.
Can AI Replace Universities by 2040?
AI can already explain theories, generate essays, analyse financial data and provide personalised tutoring within seconds. Students can therefore access knowledge far more easily than before.
Dr Najihah believes universities will still matter in 2040. The shift she calls for is from delivering information to developing independent judgment.
What Do the 57.5% vs 68.5% Test Scores Show?
- German study (2025): Eichinger and colleagues tested 68 university students, comparing conventional lectures with ChatGPT-supported self-study.
- AI-supported students finished learning activities faster, with no statistically significant difference in short-test performance.
- Barcaui study (2025): André Barcaui tested 120 undergraduates 45 days later.
- Test scores: 57.5% for ChatGPT study-aid users versus 68.5% for traditional methods.
Speed is not the same as lasting understanding. Dr Najihah notes that the two studies use different designs and neither settles the debate.
Which Skills Will Graduates Need to Prove?
Consider an accounting graduate in 2040. AI may prepare financial statements, assess sustainability disclosures and draft audit reports in minutes, but the graduate must still spot manipulated figures and exercise professional scepticism.
An engineering graduate may need to challenge the safety assumptions behind an AI-designed bridge. A medical graduate must weigh an AI-assisted diagnosis against a patient’s circumstances.
A 2026 study of 100 undergraduates at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak reported a positive association between AI reliance and self-reported higher-order thinking engagement. Dr Najihah says the real question is how thoughtfully students use AI, not whether they use it.
How Should University Assessments Change?
Dr Najihah proposes presenting students with an AI-generated financial analysis containing flawed assumptions. Students would identify weaknesses, propose alternatives and defend their conclusions before a panel.
She adds that AI literacy should be taught alongside disciplinary knowledge, covering bias, source verification and the limits of automated systems.
Why Do Students Still Value Human Lecturers?
A 2024 survey by Chan and Tsi covered 399 students and 184 teachers across eight Hong Kong institutions. Participants placed continuing importance on human educators, particularly for emotional understanding and personal development.
Dr Najihah argues that research also remains human work. Researchers must decide which questions are worth asking, whose needs are overlooked and how discoveries should be used.
What Does This Mean for Education Stocks on Bursa Malaysia?
The article names no Bursa Malaysia-listed university operator. It offers no revenue, margin, gearing or dividend figures to measure against peers.
Dr Najihah says Malaysia’s Higher Education Blueprint 2026–2035 emphasises human-centred education, adaptability, ethical values and AI integration. Her verdict on delivery is direct: success ‘will be determined in classrooms, not policy documents.’
Questions worth putting to any listed education provider, drawn from the article:
- Are examinations being redesigned to reward reasoning rather than reproduction?
- Are lecturers receiving the training and freedom to adopt new teaching methods?
- Are graduates assessed on solving ambiguous problems, not grades alone?
Dr Najihah expects universities may offer more flexible degrees and shorter professional credentials by 2040. Investors may want to watch how management answers these questions in company disclosures.
Key Takeaways
- Universities will still matter in 2040, according to Dr Najihah Abd Razak of Asia Pacific University.
- The Barcaui study recorded 57.5% for ChatGPT study-aid users versus 68.5% for traditional methods, 45 days later.
- The Higher Education Blueprint 2026–2035 includes AI integration, but Dr Najihah says classrooms will decide its success.
- No Bursa Malaysia-listed education company is named in the article.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research before making any decision on Bursa Malaysia-listed shares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace universities in Malaysia by 2040?
Dr Najihah Abd Razak believes universities will still matter in 2040. She warns that institutions which keep rewarding memorisation and routine assignments may struggle to justify their relevance.
What did the ChatGPT study find about test scores?
André Barcaui’s 2025 study of 120 undergraduates found ChatGPT study-aid users scored 57.5% on a test 45 days later. Students using traditional methods scored 68.5%.
Does the Higher Education Blueprint 2026–2035 cover AI?
Yes, the blueprint emphasises human-centred education, adaptability, ethical values and AI integration. Dr Najihah says its success will be determined in classrooms, not policy documents.
Does this article name any listed education stocks?
No. The article names no Bursa Malaysia-listed company, so investors need company filings for revenue, margin and dividend figures.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
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