By Sajid Salamat

Copyright dailytimes

For centuries, universities have been regarded as the guardians of knowledge, the engines of innovation, and the gateways to opportunity. They produced scientists who unravelled the mysteries of nature, leaders who shaped nations, and thinkers who redefined human progress. Yet today, in the twenty-first century, universities stand at a decisive turning point. Never before have they faced such intense pressures from technology, the labour market, and society itself. The question is no longer whether universities will survive, but in what form they will evolve. Will they remain confined to old traditions, or will they reinvent themselves to meet the demands of a radically different world?

Technology is no longer a side player in education; it is the single most powerful force reshaping it. Online platforms, artificial intelligence, and virtual classrooms are already redefining how students learn. The COVID-19 pandemic, though disruptive, revealed one profound truth: higher education can no longer be limited to brick-and-mortar campuses. Overnight, lectures moved online, exams went digital, and students adapted to new learning realities. The lesson was clear. Universities must exist wherever the student is, not only within campus walls. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy have already proven that high-quality education can be distributed to millions worldwide at a fraction of the traditional cost. Meanwhile, AI tools now offer personalised tutoring, adaptive assessments, and instant feedback. The university of tomorrow will likely function not as a place where one studies for four years and then moves on, but as a lifelong partner in education, always accessible, always updating, and always relevant.

The university of tomorrow will likely function not as a place where one studies for four years and then moves on, but as a lifelong partner in education, always accessible, always updating, and always relevant.

The world of work has also undergone a quiet revolution. Employers are increasingly less impressed by degrees and far more interested in practical skills, creativity, and adaptability. Global giants like Google, IBM, and Microsoft now offer industry-recognised certifications in areas such as coding and data science. These short, affordable programs often deliver job-ready skills faster than a four-year degree ever could. Universities, therefore, cannot afford to rest on the prestige of their degrees. They must transform into dynamic ecosystems where theory meets practice, where students build not just knowledge but also portfolios of skills. Interdisciplinary programs, entrepreneurial training, and real-world problem solving will need to be embedded into curricula. The rise of micro-credentials, which are bite-sized learning modules that students can stack over time, signals a shift from static degree programs to flexible, lifelong learning pathways.

But the promise of the future brings new dangers. Tuition fees are climbing around the world, sparking crises of affordability and growing student debt. If universities continue on this path, they risk becoming elitist institutions accessible only to a privileged few. Digital learning can expand opportunities, but it also risks deepening inequality between students with reliable technology and those without. For universities to remain true to their purpose, they must ensure that access is not a privilege but a right. Governments and institutions alike must invest in digital infrastructure, scholarships, and inclusive teaching strategies that reach rural and disadvantaged communities. Education cannot be the preserve of the wealthy; it must remain the ladder of mobility for all.

Another defining feature of the future is globalisation. Universities have long prided themselves on being international spaces where ideas and people flow freely. Yet recent years have shown how fragile that system is. Political tensions, visa restrictions, and global pandemics have disrupted student mobility. The answer lies in global classrooms that transcend borders. Virtual exchanges, collaborative research networks, and joint online programs are already emerging as powerful alternatives. Imagine a medical student in Lahore, an engineer in Nairobi, and a policy student in London working together on the same project through a shared digital platform. Such collaborations enrich education while breaking down barriers of cost and geography, making the university of the future truly universal.

Amid these debates on teaching, one critical truth must not be forgotten: universities are not just classrooms; they are engines of discovery. From vaccines to renewable energy, from artificial intelligence to social justice, universities produce the knowledge that drives societies forward. The COVID-19 crisis proved this beyond doubt. When the world needed solutions, it was universities and their researchers who led the way. In the decades ahead, universities will be expected to play an even larger role in solving global challenges such as climate change, food security, and inequality. Institutions that can position themselves as hubs where governments, industries, and students come together to solve real-world problems will emerge as leaders. Crucially, students must not just consume research; they must be trained to contribute to it, even during their undergraduate years.

Yet despite their achievements, universities face a growing crisis of trust. Rising costs have made many question whether higher education is worth the investment. Parents and students increasingly demand proof that a degree will guarantee employability. Unless universities can show that they prepare graduates not only for jobs but also for leadership, innovation, and citizenship, they risk losing both legitimacy and funding. Still, universities offer something irreplaceable. They are not only training grounds for careers but also crucibles of character. They nurture critical thinking, broaden horizons, and expose students to diverse cultures and perspectives. These intangible benefits cannot be replicated by a short-term certificate or an industry crash course. The challenge is not whether universities will disappear, but how they will redefine themselves to preserve these deeper values while adapting to new realities.

The future of universities will belong to those that embrace hybridity and agility. They must blend the irreplaceable benefits of in-person learning, such as labs, debates, and social interactions, with the flexibility and accessibility of digital tools. They must offer both broad-based education to foster critical thinking and specialised modules tailored to fast-changing industries. They must also dismantle disciplinary walls, encouraging collaboration between engineers, artists, scientists, and social scientists to solve the world’s most complex problems. Above all, universities must become agile, ready to adapt curricula overnight to emerging technologies, adjust admissions to expand inclusivity, and revise governance to ensure transparency. Education can no longer be a one-time event in a young person’s life. It must become a lifelong journey, with universities as constant companions.

The future of universities will not be defined by ivy-covered buildings or the prestige of degrees. It will be defined by their ability to remain relevant, accessible, and impactful in a rapidly shifting world. They must embrace technology while protecting equity, align with labour markets while preserving intellectual depth, and contribute to solving humanity’s greatest challenges while earning public trust. Far from being obsolete, universities stand at the threshold of their most exciting transformation yet. If they rise to the challenge, they will not only survive, they will thrive as the cornerstones of knowledge, innovation, and human progress well into the twenty-first century and beyond.

The writer is a PhD (Media and Crime), Founder of CASRO (Crime Analytics and Security Research Organisation), and can be reached at dr.nasirkhan.jasak @gmail.com