The Future of the University put under the spotlight at the 3rd Higher Education Conference

Universities have a significant impact on the advancement of society – shaping the education system; producing and honing skills and competencies needed for the economy; contributing to scientific discoveries, advancements and innovations and shaping the overall progress of society.

Professor Petersen embellished this, saying this conference was taking place on the back of a major disruption to the higher education system and social life, caused by global catastrophes such as the CoViD-19 pandemic, which had contributed to a vastly different reality on local campuses.

“CoViD-19 led to a rapid online pivot in universities while ongoing, quick-paced technology developments in the realm of AI were underway. In the midst of all this, universities must remain at the forefront of the digital revolution and map their future paths while doing so. Slow adaptation to rapid digitalisation can only be to the sector’s detriment,” he said.

“As universities navigate this complex terrain, it is imperative to critically reflect on past practices while charting pathways toward a more inclusive, equitable and responsive system,” Professor Petersen said, adding that deliberating on the impact of digital technologies on the future of higher education, and fostering dialogues that delved deeper into the underlying socio-cultural implications of technological integration, was key.

“One example of this is the University of Pretoria’s approach to balancing innovation and accountability to ensure the responsible use of AI. Thus far, the Global North has been the primary driver of discussions about responsible AI and concepts such as openness, privacy and the protection of copyright. “The University of Pretoria has played a central role in efforts to amplify perspectives from under-represented jurisdictions.”

The Professor said South African universities are microcosms of society – impacted by global crises while still confronting historical, structural inequalities. Added to this were evolving challenges: rapid technological advancements, divides in a developing country, inadequate governance and deepening financial and sustainability crises.

“As knowledge producing and critical citizenship development institutions, universities have a special and vital role to play. They are beacons of hope and are institutions for human progress and development.”

That is why USAf, recognising the need for strong and effective universities, was working through its six Strategy Groups (funding; leadership and management; research and innovation; teaching and learning; transformation and the world of work), to promote cohesive but diverse public universities that are in service of society, Professor Petersen said.

He said recommendations from this Conference would continue “ to influence our work and strategic objections, thus rendering us responsive to national and global contexts.”

This, Professor Petersen said, would improve the sustainability of the higher education sector and ensure a fit-for-purpose USAf.

“Context evolves and so do demands on the education system brought about by that changing context. Thus, examining the future of the university is a stock-taking exercise that will inform how we keep higher education institutions relevant within the broader educational system societal contexts.”

Assuring attendees that their participation in the robust engagement was essential, he outlined some of the topics to be deliberated on, including:

• Technology and human interface in the future university;
• Higher education funding and financial sustainability;
• Academic freedom;
• Research and innovation strategies in relation to declining resources;
• Climate change, environmental issues and the future of the university;
• Artificial intelligence and teaching and learning in the future university.

Professor Petersen said global themes and topics surrounding the issue of the future of the university would be examined “igniting our thinking around critical higher education focus areas interlinked with the future of humanity. We can only gain deeper insights into what the sector’s future may look like through interactive engagement with the multiple stakeholders within the industry.”

Identifying sustainable funding as vital for the future of universities, the USAf Chair said sub-themes of sustainability in higher education – such as sustainable financial support for students, funding for student accommodation and the benefits of a shared services platform for public higher education institutions – would be explored.

This included examining the state subsidy model, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme model, its sustainability and university fee regulation.

“Globally, humanity is confronted with multiple and intersecting social, economic, climate, technological and political crises and disasters including the wars in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.” Professor Petersen said. He also referred to the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the subsequent Sustainable Development Goals, which had provided a framework offering sustainable responses to global challenges. It was important, he said, for universities to continue engaging them critically.

“This conference will offer a conducive space for multiple and diverse voices to be heard and inform our collective imaginations of the future of our universities and their place in developing society, its people, and its institutions.”

“Within the broader context of sustainability, we will explore societal environmental concerns of climate change, waste management, water shortages and the effects of power cuts on the daily lives of our staff and students and operations. These deliberations will include finding ways that knowledge production contributes to greater sustainability of the university and society,” he said.

As a sector that plays a pivotal role in research and innovation, the future of knowledge production in relation to decreasing resources; the impact of the university and collaborations to attract resource sustainability and development would be put under the microscope.

The Professor warned that “discussions about research and innovation must take into account community impact; we must be intentional in examining how communities and governments are enhanced through university led research and innovation.”

As a country, he said, “South Africa’s history and journey of transformation and reconciliation has provided us with invaluable lessons and experiences. We will tap into this collective wisdom and explore how these lessons can enable university leaders to inspire positive change and foster inclusivity in diverse, organisational settings.”

He therefore explained the objectives of this event at being to provide a platform for rigorous debate and robust deliberation on pertinent higher education issues. The conference would encourage and support solution building through facilitated dialogue and inquiry as key stakeholders and role-players in the higher education sector and broader society. It would facilitate networking, and identify ways and platforms to SA universities could meaningfully and practically build relationships regionally and nationally. Recommendations emerging from this conference would inform actions for the sector and its strategic working groups towards a sustainable future of the university in South Africa.

He urged the participants to challenge assumptions and be disruptors, saying: “This is not just an opportunity to share and exchange knowledge, it is a chance to ignite change.”

Charmain Naidoo is a contract writer for Universities South Africa.