In the age of rapidly scaling Artificial Intelligence (AI) deployment, previously viable assessment methods may become less feasible. New demands put a stronger focus on critical thinking and the thought-process itself, rather than direct solution application.
Traditional assessment methods often prioritize the recollection of facts, leading students to adopt surface-level memorization strategies, although the goal is to foster higher-order thinking. This talk presents an overview of oral examinations as a useful assessment tool. It explores how oral exams compel students to apply knowledge, reason critically, and engage in dynamic problem-solving, moving beyond rote memorization to achieve higher tiers of learning. The talk also contrasts the inherent fairness and scalability of written exams with the dynamic, thought-process-focused nature of oral assessments, while providing a brief overview of practical implementation challenges such as time consumption and consistency, as well as strategies for successful deployment. Furthermore, personal insights from the speaker’s education in the former German Diplom system and examples for current implementation of oral exams in courses at the SJTU Global College are provided. The talk will conclude with an exploration of AI as a tool to support oral examinations in different roles.
Prof. Milias Liu
Assistant Teaching Professor
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College
Dr. Milias Liu obtained his Diplom degree in Chemistry (equivalent to a combined B.Sc. and M.Sc.), as well as his Ph.D. in Physical Solid-State Chemistry from RWTH Aachen in Germany, focusing on the investigation of structure and properties of oxygen deficient thin films of hafnium oxide. Afterwards, Dr. Liu worked for a variety of companies in the application of material characterization techniques, ranging from combustive analysis to X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Besides his industry work, Dr. Liu obtained a master’s degree in business administration from University Kassel, where his work focused on sustainability and methods to improve the attractiveness of public transportation. Since 2022 he is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College, giving courses in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Business, and Sustainable Development. Due to the wide breadth of these courses, various tools for student assessment such as written exams, project reports, posters, presentations, and oral exams have been utilized.
Date and Time：Friday, May 22 2026, 11:50-13:20
Venue：504 Chen Ruiqiu Building
Please sign up for this talk by 2 pm on May 21 2026.
