A blog by Fariba Soetan, Head of Policy Research at the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
This year, as 13 Commonwealth countries head to the polls and families, parents and citizens consider their priorities for the next decade, the world as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is set to be achieved. Global efforts to address this issue are attracting attention. By 2030 and beyond.
Higher education is at the forefront of this great challenge, playing a vital role in shaping the world's response through leadership, research, and the promotion of learning and teaching.
At the call of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has taken a proactive stance and established a Higher Education Task Force, made up of 20 Vice-Chancellors from across its 400-plus university membership, to address key issues. and the recommendations declared by the Minister of Education. The last Commonwealth Council of Education Ministers (CCEM) meeting will be held in 2022.
Despite the great differences and diversity of issues that exist across higher education, there are five key areas that are consistent across the commonwealth and require urgent attention.
access and inclusion
Universities are at the forefront of driving innovative solutions to global challenges, particularly in addressing gender and equality gaps and outcomes and enabling all citizens to reach their full potential. is. The university's critical work extends beyond theoretical discussions to practical implementation, calling for a multifaceted approach to achieving inclusive access to higher education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. is emphasized.
This includes addressing accessibility hurdles that create barriers for students with disabilities, scrutinizing the intersectionality of equity characteristics, addressing evidence gaps on disability and accessibility, and linking access to higher education and economic outcomes. This includes establishing a clear relationship between Addressing gender disparities in thematic areas such as the digital realm and employability is paramount, as is recognizing the unique needs of indigenous and refugee groups.
Furthermore, higher education institutions play a vital role in challenging the moral legitimacy of colonial legacies, addressing reparations, and fostering dialogue. Higher education institutions must prioritize proactive steps to remove these barriers and foster an inclusive culture that values ​​diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all.
higher education funding
Globally, the higher education funding landscape is at a critical juncture, with many institutions grappling with financial challenges that impact their ability to provide high-quality teaching and research opportunities. Rising operating costs, advances in technology, and increasing demand for skilled professionals highlight the urgent need for continued and increased funding for higher education. There is an increasingly urgent need to demonstrate the value of higher education and promote social consensus for it as a public good.
Digital access and artificial intelligence
Digital access and artificial intelligence (AI) bring both opportunities and challenges to higher education. As AI rapidly integrates, educational institutions must adapt their curriculum while addressing concerns related to data privacy, ethical AI use, and potential socio-economic disparities. Teacher training and development is critical to leveraging the full potential of AI to educate students and equip them with the skills they need.
Additionally, the resources needed to develop effective digital infrastructure and AI-integrated learning environments are challenging, especially for educational institutions operating on tight budgets.
Research ecosystem and infrastructure
The pursuit of research excellence is central to higher education's role in sustainable development. Balancing the quantity and quality of research, addressing disparities in access, resources, and opportunities, and developing evaluation frameworks to assess research impact remain persistent challenges.
Employability, entrepreneurship and skills
The evolving job market requires a reassessment of higher education's role in employability, entrepreneurship, and skills development. Rapid advances in technology require continuous adaptation of curriculum to industry needs. As global challenges such as climate change and socio-economic disparities increase in complexity, universities are equipped with a wide range of skills, including critical thinking, adaptability and intercultural competency, to prepare for an unpredictable job market. There is also pressure to prepare graduates.
These five areas will be addressed over the next two years to develop a program of work that engages the expertise of stakeholders, partners, and members to be reflected in the recommendations submitted to the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This will continue to be the focus of the task force. ) in Samoa in November.
To further refine these efforts, feedback will be collected from Vice-Chancellors and Higher Education Ministers at an event in London in May 2024. Participants will participate in private roundtables and collaborate to provide innovative solutions, share best practices, deepen understanding, and address issues. Challenges facing governments beyond local contexts.
Innovative solutions require thought leadership, collaboration between partners, and insight that transcends single institutions, regional contexts, and economic frameworks. It takes all of us. We look forward to collaborating with academics and experts from ACU member universities and participating in the work of the task force.
This blog was originally published on HEPI.
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