There are many views these days about “the university of the future.” Some believe the model already exists in institutions like Arizona State (especially the people at Arizona State). Others believe that the future lies in consolidation, mergers and acquisitions that will result in a smaller but still largely traditional system of higher education. We see some of this now as four year public institutions in some states are looking to merge with their community college systems. Many agree that the future also will see large scale adoption of “innovations” such as online, competency based education, and alternative credentials. Of course these things aren’t really new, but they represent higher education catching up with the rest of American culture in the 21st century.
Still others, including myself, see a different evolution. It includes elements such as those just mentioned, but is more far-reaching. One manifestation of this evolution, which I think is already in progress, is the blending of traditional not-for-profit models with for profit service providers. The Purdue-Kaplan merger is a good example here. So is the move of for profit institutions like the University of Phoenix to go private. These cases point to a new model that could look structurally similar to the current one, but one that would be powered by a business model that is more corporate, efficient, and effective in delivering high-quality, reasonably-priced education.
This model also represents a shift in the philosophy of higher education, as well. It acknowledges that education, while it is a public good, is also a commodity in today’s society. Public support from states and the feds that funds the current model is not sustainable. In addition, the internet has democratized knowledge, so that institutions of higher education are no longer the unique repositories and distributors of knowledge. If higher education is to retain its role in society, it must adapt to the needs of students and society in general. This adaptation will entail developing the curriculum and support systems to prepare students for a world of work that demands an increasingly complex set of skills and knowledge beyond the basic liberal arts foundation. This functional shift, with a new business model, will align higher education with the current reality of America, and hopefully position it to stay in step in the future.
There is also the possibility of a really alternative universe. In this world a current service provider that already possesses content, student services, and digital platforms transforms itself into an aggregator and distributor of knowledge on a large scale, in direct competition with, or in place of, the current traditional structure. Organizations like Pearson, Apple, or even Amazon have many of the requisite education pieces in place and already have proven business models. In some cases, the addition of a cadre of faculty would complete a knowledge management and distribution system that could displace large segments of the current higher education establishment.
Think about it.
