How Will Universities Impact Society with the Lessons Learned from the Pandemic?

The thirteenth set of articles from The Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Universities During Times of Crisis introduces European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth at the EC, Mariya Gabriel, Minister of Education, Science and Research at the Austrian Federal Ministry, Heinz Fassmann, and Director for Education and Skills and the OECD, Andreas Schleicher.

In her article ‘The Universities of the Future’, Mariya Gabriel focuses on the transformation of the higher education sector to become even more ‘inter-connected, innovative, inclusive and digital’, as we apply the lessons learned from the pandemic. Mariya imagines a university that uses the full potential of teaching, research, and innovation and thereby increases the impact on society.

In his article ‘IMAGINE an Agile and Resilient University’, Heinz Fassmann has observed the qualities of agility and resilience in universities. Heinz trusts that with the synergy of these two qualities the universities will be able to shape current and future challenges. As institutions of research, knowledge exchange and advancement, and problem solvers they are making a huge contribution to creating a more resilient society.

In his article ‘RE-IMAGINING Universities Post the Pandemic’, Andreas Schleicher says that universities will have to reinvent learning environments without losing the human touch and the focus on the relationship between learners with teachers. Andreas emphasises that learning is not a transactional but rather a relational phenomenon. The most valuable asset of universities might just be the quality of learning experiences that they offer.

The Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Universities During Times of Crisis is a compilation of 45 perspectives of international thought and practice leaders.

The Thoughtbook has gathered the perspectives of leaders and champions at the forefront on how universities can shape the world during times of crisis, presenting a range of possible futures. This edition creates a vision for the future of higher education institutions and how they will impact their communities during times of crisis, complementing the inaugural international Future of Universities Thoughtbook and the Australian and North American editions. The contributions are divided into six thematic sections – Imagine a University…, Crisis as a Driving Force, Disrupting Teaching and Learning, Collision of Technology and Humanity, Socially Engaged University and Entrepreneurship and University-Industry Interaction. Together, the articles provide a 360-degree view of universities from the perspective of different stakeholder groups.

For more information and to order or download your copy of The Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Universities During Times of Crisis visit our website www.future-universities.com

Header photo by Arno Smit on Unsplash.