TLDR:
- Higher education’s role in knowledge development and exchange is being debated
- Technology can democratize knowledge development and exchange
One of the significant issues being debated within the Centre for Global Higher Education is higher education’s role in knowledge development and exchange. The domination of universities in the Global North and the Western hemisphere has hindered inclusivity and positive directions of change. The authors believe that technology has the potential to democratize knowledge development and exchange.
The article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education and the urgent focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The response to the pandemic varied across universities, with research being more successful in adapting to digital methods than teaching. However, the pandemic should have generated more recognition of online study programs, but changes have been slow and not strategic.
The authors also highlight the concern over the SDGs, particularly the climate crisis, and the uneven impact rankings of universities worldwide. Only a few universities in the Global South are in the top rankings, indicating a need for more collaboration and inclusion across regions. The article emphasizes the responsibility of universities to educate professionals to tackle the challenges of climate change and sustainable development.
Lastly, the authors discuss the need to extend support to professionals who engage with university research and the importance of a collaborative approach to knowledge development. They argue that technology allows for a more inclusive and collaborative process, leading to the democratization of knowledge exchange. By leveraging digital methods, universities can include diverse sources of knowledge and enhance lifelong learning opportunities for all.