The global HE landscape is undergoing change at a phenomenal rate, with emerging markets shifting the geography of HE provision and bringing new competition to the sector. In Asia, we see countries like China climbing up the THE Rankings, while other countries are committed to increasing investment in HE and research. The US and Europe are setting up campuses abroad, such as the Harvard Center in Shanghai or UCL Qatar.
A three-year study led by RAND Europe and the University of Maastricht has explored HEIs in 9 EU countries to find out what the opinion is on HE innovation, and whether the speed European universities are going is fast enough to remain competitive at a global level.
Analysts Cecile Hoareau McGrath and Emma Harte conducted a survey of 47 heads of higher education to reveal a ‘level of pessimism’ amongst respondents. The results concluded that ‘the current pace of change was far too slow’, questioning ‘the institutional capacity for change’ due to constraints towards innovation.
The study, however, also gave examples of innovation taking place successfully across traditional European universities, and pinpointed commonalities across the approaches:
‘First, they meet the needs of the university and its mission. Second, all the initiatives were set up with clear leadership and a commitment to innovate. Finally, they all have articulated strategic plans with mandated actions and performance indicators, which help them obtain support and measure achievements.’
The research concludes that ‘Universities will go further if they incorporate innovation in clear institutional strategies which are made public’.