What challenges do universities in the 21st-century face? How are learners’ needs evolving? And how are higher education (HE) institutions integrating vocational and real-world learning? On Wednesday, April 19, Edge hosted a webinar investigating how universities are adapting to meet the changing needs of learners, industry and society.
Chaired by HE policy expert Dr Helen Carasso, we welcomed three excellent panellists: Sir David Bell (Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland); Professor Ross Renton (Principal of ARU Peterborough, a new university for Peterborough); and Tom Sperlinger (Academic Lead at Black Mountains College in Wales). Their insights offer inspiration for any HE institutions seeking to adjust to a changing world.
Our first panellist, Sir David Bell, is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland. He explained that while many universities focus on competing with one another, it is better to focus on their unique strengths. Sunderland University, for example, has consciously chosen to target practical, vocational, and applied subjects, combining rigorous academic education with career readiness. This has involved making tough decisions. For instance, the university recently ended its history, politics, and modern languages courses. Making choices like this, however, has enabled the university to reallocate resources to areas where it can offer something unique; namely, a professions-focused curriculum.
