A Role For Higher Education In Creating A Sustainable Future

Sustainable development can be defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As such, sustainable development not only deals with environmental issues, but economic, social and cultural issues as well. Given the increased demands placed on societies and the environment it is clear that global action is needed to create a more sustainable future. Higher education can play a vital role as an important knowledge producer.

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Learn From The Future

Learning takes place in a time of disruptions. In this context, VUCA, most leaders, change makers and teachers feel stuck. A feeling of being unable to redirect the learning in any significant and constructive way. We are, in Otto Scharmer’s words: ‘collectively creating results that (almost) nobody wants’.

Who Is Right?

Knowledge is no longer controlled by people or organisations. We work in a culture where knowledge arises from co-creation, is dynamic and distributed to the whole community. So, who decides who is right or wrong?

Education At The Edge Of Chaos

Educators talk a lot about the growing complexity in higher education. But when things become complex and uncertain it is harder to predict the outcome of interventions. And it is this simple truth that makes measuring impact a challenge. The simple truth is embedded in complex adaptive systems theory, based on chaos theory.

Artificial Intelligence The Gamechanger For Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming many human activities . Uber has disrupted the taxi sector, Airbnb the hotel industry and Amazon disrupted first the bookselling sector and then the whole retail industry. It is only a matter of time until the higher education sector undergoes a significant transformation, highly influenced by AI.

Higher Education Future Forward

Forecasting the future is always a difficult affair, especially in this age of rapidly changing technology and times. So this ‘forecast’ is based on experience, reading, watching and personal meaning. I’m working hard to make learning awesome and significant. That’s why I want to share this and interact on it.

Innovation in Higher Education

Innovation is a loaded word in higher education. More and more institutes dedicate resources to change initiatives often coupled with entrepreneurship and startup culture. It looks like these are the new neoliberal values, the leading edge of corporatization of higher education.