Modern universities will be facing some unique challenges in 2022 and beyond, and college heads like Northwestern Polytechnic University Peter Hsieh must plan accordingly. Here are some of the challenges colleges will face in the future and how they are planning to address them:
Declining interest in the humanities
In the past, a well-rounded education meant studying a range of disciplines from computer science to philosophy. However, as Silicon Valley continues to gain influence over American culture, more and more students are being encouraged to pursue degrees related to STEM fields. Even though this is just one piece of what makes up an effective workforce, colleges like Northwestern Polytechnic University need to understand this shift in American culture.
The rise of online education
While in-person lectures and interactions will always have a place in academia, more and more students are turning to online education as a way to get ahead. This is especially true for working professionals who want to continue their education without disrupting their careers. Therefore, colleges must offer a variety of online courses and degree programs in order to stay relevant and serve the modern student.
Economic challenges
Colleges might be facing economic pressure as students continue to prioritize cost over quality. By 2022, many colleges will need to adjust their budgets so that they can offer more courses and instruction at a lower price point. Otherwise they risk losing more students to online alternatives.
Changing social issues
Colleges will need to keep up with shifting social values as well and anticipate how their policies and cultural offerings might evolve over the next few years. While there’s already a lot of momentum among college campuses to become more sensitive and inclusive, this is still an area that needs some work, and some colleges might need to adjust their curricula for this purpose.
More pressure from employers
In the past, colleges have been able to remain relatively detached from the job market. But as companies become more interested in what’s being taught on college campuses, institutions will need to stay connected with their alumni and industry partners so they can continue to understand the most in-demand fields of study and skill sets that hiring managers are looking for.
The rise of artificial intelligence
One of the most daunting challenges for universities will be preparing students for a future in which artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role. Colleges will need to find ways to integrate AI education into their curricula so that students are equipped with the skills they need to compete in a world where machines are starting to do the work of humans.
The end of tenure?
Tenure has been a staple of the American university system for many years, but it’s starting to come under fire as more and more professors are being laid off. By 2022, tenure will likely have disappeared from most colleges, meaning that professors will need to be more marketable and find other ways to remain relevant as they continue teaching. In the past, people have been able to rely on tenure as a way to maintain financial security and academic freedom, but this benefit will likely disappear over the next ten years.