proposed by the European University Association. Fittingly called “Universities Without Walls,” the strategy presents a vision of the higher education system in the period between today and 2030. Let’s take a look into the future. What will universities be like, seven years from now? Continue reading to learn the key theses of the publication.
Ksenia Bessonova
Expert, Gladway Foundation for the Development of Media Projects and Social Programs
AN OVERVIEW OF THE VISION AND HOW IT CAME TO BE
The European university development strategy “Universities without Walls” [159] was published in February 2021 by the European University Association (EUA). It is a product of painstaking work by more than 100 experts from within the Association membership, 33 national rectors’ conferences, and a wide range of external consultants and non-university stakeholders.
What are the prerequisites for the creation of the strategy and objectives it is trying to address? In the foreword to the document, Michael Murphy, EUA President, and Amanda Crowfoot, EUA Secretary General, speak about being at a tipping point, driven by multiple economic, political and environmental pressures that add to the urgency of addressing what the future for our societies and our planet should be. “There is a need for a clear vision for and by universities, how they want to develop, shape and respond to these challenges over this decade. While this guide is aimed at providing inspiration and support for Europe’s universities, it is also an invitation to partners from other parts of society to join forces for a better future and for policy makers to ensure the right framework conditions,” they say, addressing the readers.
CHALLENGES AND TRENDS
According to the document, Europe’s universities are keen to live up to the challenges of the times. The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing economic and social crisis will cast a shadow over the coming years but will also present opportunities for innovation in educational institutions. The authors list ecological, economic and social concerns, the digital transition and major political developments as some of the main drivers of change the universities will face in the new decade. Finding a sustainable equilibrium is the key to all universities.
While the situations and profiles of universities across Europe vary and are very much shaped by their specific local, regional and national contexts, some overall external trends can be observed:
• The climate crisis has led many universities to put their missions into the service of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Technological developments are changing lives and disrupting labor markets. Producing knowledge for new technologies and social innovation is a central element of the universities’ activities. However, they also have to ensure that the impact of new technologies on our societies is studied and evaluated and that graduates are equipped for labor markets that are changing due to digitalization and the development of artificial intelligence.
While this guide is aimed at providing inspiration and support for Europe’s universities, it is also an invitation to partners to join forces for a better future and for policy makers to ensure the right framework conditions.
• Democracy and political systems are under pressure in all European countries to different degrees. This also threatens academic freedom and university autonomy.
• The spread of false information, fabricated evidence and the concept of “alternative truth” undermine the value and the role of science in society. Universities need to position themselves on this issue and find new and more effective ways to help counter this trend.
• Research, innovation and education are an increasingly important factor in geopolitics. Europe’s universities must share and co-create knowledge on a global scale.
• In many European countries higher education continues to be a major motor for socioeconomic mobility.
• Many universities face a continuous underfunding challenge. This leads to an uneven playing field and to increased competition between universities for resources.
UNIVERSITIES OF THE FUTURE: WHAT ARE THEY?
Universities in 2030 are “universities without walls,” open and engaged in society while retaining their core values. They are responsible, autonomous and free, with different institutional profiles, but united in their missions of learning and teaching, research, innovation and culture in service to society.
The authors of the strategy believe that universities will build on their capacity to evolve and will become engines of societal change. They will provide an open, transformative space for common knowledge production through research, education, innovation and culture. Together with other societal stakeholders, they will shape the future of a knowledge-driven society. Below we will take a closer look at the characteristics of the universities of the future, as outlined in the strategy.
OPEN, TRANSFORMATIVE AND TRANSNATIONAL
The strategy emphasizes that universities, as communities of learners, academics and professional staff, including alumni and a wide range of partners and citizens, will continue to build bridges between countries, cultures and sectors.
The authors of the document emphasize that universities are the places for testing new ideas, for lateral thinking and for creating new knowledge that still lies outside of mainstream awareness. The European University Association points out that universities can benefit from a dialog with society, actively involving citizens, businesses, non-governmental organizations, public authorities and others.
“Universities will be open as physical and virtual spaces and will work to cultivate both of these when engaging with society. The physical campus will continue to be crucial as a place for social interaction, meetings, dialogs, focused learning and research. The virtual campus will make the university ubiquitous. It will be developed to improve access for all to participate in research and learning, enhance cooperation, and explore new, innovative ways of pursuing university missions,” the document states.
The Association believes that the future of Europe’s universities will be transnational, continuing to provide a prerequisite for high quality research and innovation, as well as learning and teaching.
SUSTAINABLE, DIVERSE AND ENGAGED
According to the authors of the vision, universities will put their missions into the service of sustainability. This will require a careful balance between
