Innovative Futures for Higher Education at OEB24

The world of higher education is at a crossroads. Technology is advancing rapidly, the population is changing, and we’re facing global polycrises. As these forces transform the way we live, work and learn, we see a new urgency for well-known systemic challenges in the higher education system. As universities are in a unique position to act as catalysts for transformation, they need to change quickly to maintain their central role in education, research and innovation. In the light of these pressures, German education stakeholders are taking a critical look at how to design future-proof higher education through cross-sectoral collaboration and drawing inspiration from effective future concepts implemented at universities in the international context.

The Need for Change

Like many other countries, Germany’s higher education system faces some major challenges that have become more urgent in the face of rapid social and technological changes. These challenges include promoting the inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that curricula correspond to changing skill needs, developing innovative learning methods, and creating a system that can adapt quickly.

To address these issues, the Stifterverband (a joint initiative of German companies and foundations that has been committed to improving education, science and innovation since 1920) and the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation have joined forces as part of their “Future Mission for Education” initiative. On 29 August, they published the study “New Forms of Tertiary Education – Innovative Future Concepts and What We Can Learn from Them“, which examines successful strategies for addressing these challenges and considers their applicability in different contexts. As other countries face similar issues, the findings of this study have broad global relevance.

“Universities are the driving force behind societal change,” says Volker Meyer-Guckel, Secretary General of the Stifterverband. “That’s why it’s crucial to start designing the universities of the future today. To achieve this, we need to engage in more dialogues about the future, share visions of what it could be, and take actionable steps now to bring it to life.” An event like the OEB is an excellent opportunity to engage in such discussions and work together effectively to future-proof our universities and, by extension, our education systems.

Meyer-Guckel tells us something that’s true for all universities around the world: universities everywhere must carefully consider how to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Key Challenges and Innovative Solutions

The following challenges, together with case studies of innovation, provide a useful roadmap and inspiration for institutions everywhere.

Accessing higher education remains a challenge for many, particularly first-generation students, immigrants and those with caring responsibilities. The study highlights promising approaches to making higher education more accessible and enhancing student success. For example, gamified admissions tests at 42 Heilbronn and the recognition of informally acquired skills at College Unbound are two promising strategies that could be adapted not only in Germany but in different educational contexts.

Curriculum development often lacks the agility to keep pace with technological and societal change. To stay ahead, we need to adopt a more dynamic approach to curriculum design. The study looks at how micro-credentials and nano-degrees could provide a flexible, modular alternative to traditional degree programmes. These formats, demonstrated by the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU), enable institutions to respond swiftly to evolving skills requirements. 

Innovative teaching methods are as important as curriculum content. It’s important to rethink how we teach, not just what we teach. The study shows how learning analytics and adaptive learning systems, as demonstrated by Arizona State University, can transform the learning experience. While these tools have their challenges, they are critical to personalising education, increasing student engagement and supporting success across diverse backgrounds.

Globally, many higher education institutions are constrained by outdated structures and governance models. The study highlights how networked, inter- and transdisciplinary innovation units, such as those at Erasmus University Rotterdam and Arizona State University exemplify how educational innovation can be fostered in a more agile and sustainable way. These lessons are valuable for institutions seeking to break down silos and promote continuous improvement. In addition, university start-ups like IT:U and UTN. have the potential to trigger debates on structural changes.

It’s Time to Act

It became clear that the challenges German universities face are not unique but reflect broader trends affecting higher education globally. “For our universities to remain relevant in the future, we need to implement long-term strategies rather than quick fixes,” says Horst Nasko, Chairman of the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation. “And we need strong examples of how to successfully implement new approaches in higher education. This includes ensuring that our institutions can adapt to the changing demographics of the student body and the changing demands of the labour market”.

As higher education systems around the world strive for greater sustainability and adaptability, we hope that our findings will support institutions grappling with similar issues.

“New Forms of Tertiary Education – Innovative Future Concepts and What We Can Learn from Them” serves as a valuable resource for higher education professionals, offering insights into the significant challenges of our time. As universities work to become more agile, inclusive and innovative, the strategies outlined in this study provide a roadmap for meaningful reform.

Connecting Innovators at OEB24

As Meyer-Guckel points out, it is essential that digital education experts, university leaders, policymakers and innovators who are rethinking higher education in the digital age connect and share their experiences. 

At the OEB24 panel “The Best of: Adapting New and Forward-Looking Tertiary Education Models to Your Context” attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Oliver Janoschka of Hochschulforum Digitalisierung for Stifterverband, Kyle Bowen of ASU, Manuel Dolderer of Code University, and Stephanie Levy of 42. Panellists will address the most pressing challenges in the global higher education landscape and explore how education systems and institutions can harness their transformative potential to address them, drawing on international best practice. They will share inspiring real-world examples of institutions that have successfully addressed challenges and look forward to engaging in a dialogue with the audience.

The study “New Forms of Tertiary Education” is available for download here.

Written for OEB Global 2024 by Channa van der Brug and her team at Stifterverband. Join them in their panel discussion, taking place on Thursday, November 28 2024.