Evaluating the Impact of Using GenAI in Higher Education for University Students

The rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is transforming higher education, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This research investigates the integration of GenAI in higher education, focusing on its effects on teaching, learning, and administrative processes. Through focus group discussions with university students from the joint programme between Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), this study explores the utilisation of GenAI tools in enhancing educational experiences and outcomes. Findings indicate that while GenAI facilitates personalised learning, improves instructional materials, and streamlines administrative tasks, it also raises concerns regarding the reliability of AI-generated content, academic integrity, and ethical considerations. To further explore these issues, this paper conducted group discussions and workshops with faculty staff from both BUPT and QMUL to gather insights on the responsible integration of GenAI in higher education. The workshop participants provided valuable feedbacks on strategies for enhancing digital literacy, promoting academic integrity, and establishing ethical guidelines for the use of GenAI technologies. The study serves as a foundational step toward the development of a comprehensive framework for integrating GenAI competencies into university curricula, specifically tailored to transnational educational contexts. This research contributes to the academic discourse on AI in education and offers practical guidelines for leveraging GenAI to enhance educational practices and institutional efficiency, while addressing the ethical and pedagogical challenges that arise from the rapid adoption of these transformative technologies.