AKA Weekly Rundown - July 9, 2021

From World Economic Forum:

Asian universities are on the rise. This is what it means for the rest of the world
By Phil Baty
The recent World University Rankings revealed a rise in rank for leading Asian universities with a corresponding decline for some institutions in the West, indicating a possible shift in the global knowledge economy. In order to maintain their competitive positioning, Western universities should better understand the intentions, capabilities, and determination of Asian institutions; invest more in research; and become more collaborative, open, and diversified. Read this article

From Chronicle of Higher Education:

MIT and Harvard Have Sold Higher Education’s Future
By Jefferson Pooley

edX, one of higher education's answers to for-profit online course start-ups, was recently sold by Harvard and MIT to 2U with the goal of expanding the platform's reach and providing more and better programming. Due to 2U's obligation to its shareholders, however, some in the higher education sector see a misalignment in the missions of the merged entities and argue that deal is an auctioning off "of the lecture halls of the future." Read this article

From EdSurge:
Lacking Online Programs, Many Colleges Are Rushing to Partner with OPMs. Should They?
By Robert Ubell
Prior to the pandemic, some higher education institutions resisted investing in online education because of cost, delivery, and cultural considerations. Many institutions are playing catch up through partnerships with online program managers (OPMs), but this option is unlikely to provide a reliable long-term solution. Institutions would benefit more from building their own online infrastructure. Read this article

From The Hechinger Report:

Facing a white-collar worker shortage, American companies seek a blue-collar solution
By Levi Pulkkinen
A shortage of talent in technology, healthcare, and tech-adjacent sectors has led to an increasing number of employers reconsidering degree requirements and adopting training programs, including paid apprenticeships. These steps may deepen the private sector talent pool, broaden company cultures, and create a path towards high-paying careers that bypasses the traditional college route. Read this article

From TIAA Institute:

Aligning financial sustainability with student access and success: Opportunities for private colleges

By Lauren Asher, Amy Holmes, and Greg Ratliff
Covid-19 has intensified the serious financial and demographic challenges faced by many private colleges and universities, putting smaller tuition-dependent institutions at greater financial risk. This report summarizes the findings of a 12-month study to identify opportunities for vulnerable private colleges to achieve financial sustainability based on academic and practitioner research, expert analyses, and public comments by key stakeholders, as well as in-depth interviews with institutional leaders, subject-area experts, and philanthropy professionals. Read this report