Open Universities: Reinventing, repurposing and reimagining innovative futures

Abstract

Higher education is at a crossroads.  Colleges and universities, including open universities, face a challenging period of change to thrive in a highly dynamic, competitive and digital higher education future.   The unique innovations of scaling, massification and social access, whilst still essential and important for open universities, may not in themselves be sufficient to preserve and reposition open universities as major leaders in the emerging higher education ecosystem.  Open university leaders will be confronted with immense challenges. How can open universities reinvent themselves as the most exciting organizational model to meet contemporary needs for new audiences in innovative ways?  The game-changers for the next generation of open universities may be a renewed and/or new focus on 1) leadership, 2) expanding mega-universities, 3) repositioning open universities within the mainstream HE ecosystem, 4) new streamlined versions of open universities smaller in size, fewer students, niche research, and a mix of niche-focused degrees, certificates and micro-credentials, 5) a focused national mission and renewed partnerships, and 6) monitoring AI and digital technology developments in the sector and across society. Open universities play a key role in preserving democratic ideals and social justice. With a renewed commitment to a culture of innovation, agility and adaptation, the next generation of open universities can reinvent and repurpose themselves to thrive and empower the global higher education community.