Future of the University

The word “university” is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, which means “community of teachers and scholars.” This description seems to be modified with the advent of technology and has changed the way knowledge is delivered with many other aspects of university changing around the world as well. The future universities will have a much more influence of technology and globalization. Imaging a future university is interesting but at the same time challenging as most of us, students would like to change so many things about it.

A few things which strike me that should be considered while developing new courses or strategizing university’s advancement, include: a) monitoring the supply and demand of the employment market, and adjusting programs and enrollment as necessary, b) looking for sustainable funding mechanism so that burden on students could be lowered, and c) increase in the transparency of administration and allowing students access to decision-making tools.

But if it is just one thing to be changed, I would like that university focus more on adjusting the courses and programs in a way degrees help students learn skills that they can use in the workplace. It could be done by offering more co-op programs, networking with the partner institutions and enlarging this network to benefit the students in placements, etc., and connecting with Alumni network such that the strong ties help in opening more avenues for the graduating batch.

Previously, the institutions were more about learning, about expanding one’s mind and making a difference in the world and so should be in future. The growing neo-liberal effect on the universities needs to be reduced for future universities to empower humans and transform the society.