May You Live in Interesting Times

Think Education

In this latest Think Education podcast episode, Judith reflected on her recent attendance at the UUKi’s International Higher Education Forum 2024 – held in London, UK. Judith highlighted the honesty and reflective nature of presentations and discussions seen now as normal and the value that this bring to the community and understanding.

Three key issues emerged from Judith’s reflections and they are all connected to the shifting realities of higher education:

International student mobility and the impact this has on institutions, cities and communities. This is not an issue for any single one country or region but rather a sector wide concern. The conversation naturally focused on international students and the extent to which their presence, and indeed absence, can dramatically impact local, regional and international economies and stability.

Online and distance learning. Students demonstrating an increasing interest in studying online for the first year or two of their degrees and then switching to in person. We talked about how this can be seen as evidence of students taking advantage of a disrupted pattern of learning to their own advantage – supported by employer attitudes on the value of a degree.

Employability and graduate outcomes. In particular, the lack of tracking applied in this regard to international students. We talked about the role universities should play in this debate and what it will mean to not adapt to emerging, and indeed current, realities.

We tried to end on a positive note and that included referencing Tom Hanks and his work with the American astronauts who faced life and death issues.

Tackle the problem in front of you and then the next one. Don’t get overwhelmed.

https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/events/international-higher-education-forum

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