Sir Howard Newby presentation abstract

Responding to challenges posed to higher education in a globalised world

Higher education is about acquiring and sharing knowledge. The free transmission of knowledge is both the mark of a civilised and open society and central to economic competitiveness and social inclusion. As knowledge becomes more important universities face new challenges from students, employers and society.  Higher education operates in a global marketplace, competing with other providers around the world and the needs and demands of its stakeholders are growing in range and complexity.  The providers of higher education must be flexible in their response. New and innovative approaches to teaching and learning are already emerging. With information and communications technology, individualised learning programmes will become more important. Our challenge is to use technology to deliver the quality of teaching and support which students would expect from attending a lecture or tutorial.

People now expect that they will need to change and adapt throughout their life. That in turn alters how they see learning and how we must respond. Lifelong learning has turned from an ambitious slogan to a reality in many people’s lives, something that allows them to continue expanding their knowledge, skills and horizons from cradle to grave.

Human capital and the generation and application of new knowledge are key pillars of the knowledge economy and knowledge society.  In this era of mass higher education, we must ensure that the benefits of expansion are shared among people from every background. The imperative of widening access and improving participation is a key challenge for higher education across the world.

Tomorrow’s universities will need to be diverse, flexible and adaptable.  Meeting the challenges of the next decade will bring its own rewards. It will ensure that higher education is at the heart of a truly competitive knowledge-based economy and inclusive society.