Universities in a changing world
Institutions have to adapt, or they will become obsolete
Marcelo Knobel
Physicist and rector of Unicamp (State University of Campinas) since April 2017
Universities are institutions whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. If they have survived the passage of time and remain relevant to this day, it is because they knew how to reinvent themselves and adapt to the different realities of each era.
One of the demands that the 21st century has imposed on universities is that they get closer to society and strengthen their relationships with the different groups that make up it.
In today's world, there is no longer a place for ivory towers that are oblivious to the demands emerging around them. Universities alone will not be able to solve the deep socioeconomic, regional and ethnic inequalities in our country and in Latin America. But they can, and should, be an important part of the search for these solutions, acting as agents that transform the economic and social system.
In order for them to contribute decisively to social and regional development, it is essential that they seek new ideas and good practices, always maintaining the flexibility to review and change their models according to society's needs.
But making such changes is a task that requires discussion and planning. Not by chance, the topic will be one of the central axes of an important meeting of university leaders that will take place starting this Monday (21) in Spain, the 4 º International Meeting of Universia Rectors, with the theme University, Society and Future, for which representatives from around one hundred Brazilian institutions and another 500 from abroad are expected.
Gathered at the historic University of Salamanca — a legitimate survivor of the passage of time, which celebrates its eighth centenary this year — the meeting participants will exchange ideas and experiences on how universities can prepare themselves to respond with creativity and dynamism to the current demands of society.
The program was organized into three main axes: training and learning in a digital world; research at university, a paradigm under review?; and contribution to social and regional development, of which I am coordinator.
This third axis will be under debate, for example, the challenge of training qualified human resources for a constantly changing job market. How can we do this knowing that many of the professions of the future have not even been created yet? The path certainly involves educating ethical, well-rounded citizens with solid foundations to keep up with the rapid changes of an increasingly connected and globalized world.
Models for promoting university entrepreneurship and how universities should strategically reflect on sustainable development objectives will also be discussed.
These reflections must necessarily cover aspects related to access, permanence, equity, diversity, excellence, internationalization and innovation.
The changes, however, have to be even broader not only within universities, but also throughout society. The social dimension needs to be incorporated, in a transversal way, into the three areas of university activity — teaching, research and extension. Universities need to redouble their efforts in communication, to show society their invaluable contributions.
It is worrying to see a new generation of extremely well-trained professors and researchers — at a high cost — who do not find good jobs or academic career prospects. And it is unacceptable to follow the reduction of resources for scientific research and the training of postgraduate students. We have several successful examples in the country's higher education system, despite the outdated governance system, reduced salaries, stressful environment, uncertain future and bureaucracy.
In this sense, universities must immerse themselves in a profound transformation, effectively planning the expansion of opportunities, carrying out quality assessment, expanding the impact of their research, rethinking the development of curricula, adequately defining the profile of graduates, introducing modern teaching tools and enabling greater student mobility.
The world is changing in an overwhelming way, and universities have to keep up with these changes, or they will become obsolete.
(Folha de S. Paulo. Trends and Debates. Page A3. Monday, May 21, 2018)
