Those Who Strive Forward, Whilst Others Pause...
Reflections on the IIM - Institute of Interim Management event last month, ‘Solving Any Sector Disruption – The Interim Advantage in HE Transformation’, have proven to be thought-provoking, facing the new sense of urgency with which universities are tackling today’s ever-changing issues.
Chatham House Rules enabled direct dialogue:
· disruption is here to stay; the sector’s mindset (responding to crises as they arrive) has now moved to fast-moving change as business as usual.
· partnerships external to the sector are more vital now than ever; with political pressures confronting HE intensifying: power decentralising and potentially no one party wholly endorsing the sector.
· stay aheard of the curve; lessons are to be learnt from other nations’ decisions; such as the large declines in international students that followed Canada’s recent student visas changes. There is a strategic benefit of listening to regulators early: adapting business models first.
· recognise the student as an informed investor in their own future; a move away from a paternalistic approach to education, to one which is more directly customer-focused. Students are partners, with their plights and ideas to be heard.
· cultural change begins with workforce planning; risk-averse hiring may not yet fully integrate external sector experience, could this leave institutions struggling to adapt?
New ways of thinking are required for this new operating environment and diversity in expertise often leads to greater innovation and distinction for Brand UK HE.
