Higher Education Forum: Disrupting Traditional Models 2015

Demand for higher education is rising rapidly across the world, with record numbers of people aspiring to a degree or equivalent qualification. This is putting tremendous pressure on universities to innovate their model in order to stay competitive and deliver on the promise of economic mobility.

However, despite the rapid and profound technological advancements that have come to define recent history, the business of higher education has largely remained static for centuries. Universities are under mounting scrutiny as costs rise and prospects for employment remain bleak. Employers, on the other hand, are quick to point out the problems with the educational system, but are hesitant to shoulder responsibility.

Meeting the global demand for an adept workforce will require acute foresight into disruptive trends accompanied by deliberate, measured risk. Those that successfully ride the wave of change will strike a balance between tradition and technology, forge innovative partnerships and demonstrate value. Policy-driven structural reforms in conjunction with technology will produce winners and losers. But those that take the leap to think globally, act locally, capitalise on big data and quantify outcomes will emerge as industry leaders.