Universities have a duty beyond the production of knowledge

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Universities have a duty beyond the production of knowledge

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In a world where a child dies from hunger every 10 seconds and millions endure extreme poverty, deprived of essential resources and opportunities, the transformative power of education – particularly higher education – has never been more critical. The pressing questions remain: How can we break cycles of entrenched poverty and inequality? How can higher education fulfil its promise to unlock human potential?

Today, almost 235 million students are enrolled in universities worldwide, yet the global enrolment rate stands at a mere 40%.

This stark contrast underscores the reality that access to education remains a privilege, with vast disparities across regions. While the demand for higher education surges, education systems worldwide are failing to meet it. Currently, 260 million children and young adults are deprived of any form of education, and in low- and middle-income countries, 70% of 10-year-olds cannot read or understand a basic written sentence. This learning poverty is a crisis on a massive scale that the global community must urgently confront.

Despite rapid advancements in technology and science, we face a global teaching shortage, an employment crisis for graduates and widening digital and resource divides. The ideals of fairness, inclusivity and equity remain distant goals, even in an increasingly interconnected world.

Global goals

Universities hold the key to addressing many of the world’s most pressing challenges, particularly when aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

From eradicating poverty (SDG 1) and reducing hunger (SDG 2) to promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and climate action (SDG 13), higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to drive progress by advancing research, fostering innovation and disseminating knowledge.

The recent UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 placed a renewed focus on the transformative role of higher education in tackling global challenges such as inequality, climate change and sustainable development.

World leaders, academics and policy-makers emphasised that universities must evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. The summit underscored the importance of higher education institutions not only in equipping students with skills for the future but also in contributing directly to the SDGs.

For instance, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan is pioneering sustainable water management and agricultural projects, contributing to SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) and SDG 2 (Zero hunger).

In a country where water scarcity threatens food security, LUMS collaborates with local communities to develop innovative irrigation solutions, increasing agricultural productivity while conserving water. This practical approach to research illustrates how universities can directly address local and global challenges.

In Uganda, Makerere University, with funding from the British Council, partnered with UK universities to improve maternal health outcomes, a key component of SDG 3 (Good health and well-being). This collaboration significantly improved access to maternal healthcare, reducing infant mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project exemplifies the power of transnational educational partnerships in making a tangible impact on pressing health issues.

Since 2021, the British Council’s Gender Equality Partnerships programme has supported 70 international partnerships contributing to SDG 5 (Gender equality) in higher education systems, spanning 120 institutions in the UK and 12 other countries.

Meanwhile, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Cape Town spearheads the African Climate and Development Initiative, focusing on climate change research specific to the African continent.

Through its work, the university has helped shape policies that address both environmental sustainability and economic resilience, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate action) and SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth). This initiative highlights how universities in the Global South can play pivotal roles in shaping sustainable futures for their communities.

Challenges as opportunities

While universities have achieved much, they face significant challenges – challenges that, if addressed creatively, can become opportunities for transformative change.

Resource constraints: Wars, political instability and global pandemics have strained access to education and research. Competition for diminishing resources is intensifying, demanding that universities operate efficiently and form global partnerships to share knowledge and expertise. Collaborative resource-sharing, such as joint research initiatives, can help overcome these constraints.

Mobility barriers: Rising costs, safety concerns and nationalist policies are curbing student and academic mobility, particularly in regions affected by conflict or economic instability. Yet, programmes like Erasmus+ continue to promote cross-border education, offering opportunities for students and researchers to collaborate internationally, fostering global understanding and innovation.

Shifting skills demands: As the labour market evolves, critical thinking, adaptability and interdisciplinary knowledge are more valuable than ever. Higher education institutions must adapt to these changing demands, seen in the rapid growth of micro-credentials and modular learning models that enable students to customise their education to meet specific job market needs.

The digital divide: While technology offers immense potential for remote learning and global connectivity, it also exposes a profound digital divide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities in high-income countries quickly pivoted to online learning, while many institutions in developing nations struggled due to an inadequate internet infrastructure. Overcoming this divide is essential if universities are to provide equitable access to education in the future.

Political polarisation: The rise of populism and nationalism complicates global collaboration, making it more difficult for universities to engage in cross-border partnerships. However, universities remain one of the few institutions where dialogue, critical inquiry and cultural exchange can flourish, offering hope for greater international cooperation in an increasingly polarised world.

Demographic shifts: Youth booms in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where 60% of the population is under 25, present an enormous opportunity for higher education expansion. Universities have the chance to harness this youth-driven demand for education, becoming catalysts for innovation and progress.

If effectively leveraged, this demographic shift could revolutionise not just higher education but entire societies. But this also presents a challenge to tertiary education institutions. For example, scaling up must be managed carefully to provide quality education even when at a larger scale.

Reimagining the role of universities

Universities can transcend their traditional roles of teaching and research. They can actively engage with society’s most urgent challenges, working towards building fairer, more resilient communities. The future of higher education lies not just in the production of knowledge but in its application to real-world problems, fostering empathy, inclusivity and sustainable development.

For example, the University of Sydney’s Planetary Health Platform brings together cross-disciplinary expertise to develop solutions for interconnected challenges such as human health and environmental sustainability. This kind of holistic, multi-disciplinary approach represents the future of higher education, where research, teaching and community engagement intersect to address global challenges.

At the University of the West Indies, researchers are pioneering sustainable agricultural practices that help smallholder farmers improve crop yields while reducing environmental degradation. This is an example of higher education creating tangible impacts, empowering local communities and helping to build sustainable economies.

According to Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings, universities play a central role in advancing the SDGs through research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. The 2023 rankings show how institutions worldwide are aligning their missions with SDG initiatives, underscoring the importance of higher education in achieving global objectives.

This growing recognition reinforces the notion that universities are not just educational institutions but engines for sustainable development and social equity.

A pivotal moment

We stand at a pivotal moment in history, and higher education must seize its transformative potential. Universities have both the ability and the responsibility to shape a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable future. Beyond educating future leaders, universities inspire action, foster innovation and build global coalitions to address the most significant challenges facing humanity.

It is time to rethink and reimagine the role of higher education – not only for the next decade but for generations to come. The promise of higher education is not merely to provide knowledge but to build a world where equity, justice and sustainability are realities, not just aspirations.

Nishat Riaz, MBE, has over 20 years of experience in education leadership. She sits on several advisory boards and is the global lead for higher education systems and internationalisation at the British Council. Nishat can be reached on LinkedIn or X (previously Twitter). Professor Mary Stiasny, OBE, is a professor emerita at the University of London, United Kingdom. She was also a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner. Stiasny was the pro-vice chancellor (international) at the University of London and chief executive for University of London international programmes for over 10 years.

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