The future of learning: Is higher education changing?

The Evolution of Education and Skill Requirements

The transformation of education and the evolving demands for skills are reshaping educational systems around the globe, though at varying paces. Each country and region is adapting to these changes, influenced by their unique social and economic priorities and conditions. This dynamic landscape raises important questions about the relevance of traditional degrees and the future of higher education.

The Shift in Educational Paradigms

In the early 2000s, the UK saw a significant push towards 'employability' in post-1970 institutions. Degree programs underwent extensive overhauls to align with the goal of producing graduates who could meet industry needs. This process involved collaboration with industry stakeholders and professional accreditation bodies to ensure that curricula included essential professional skills.

The integration of numeracy and science into business education became crucial. Subjects like data analytics for market research and big data insights gained prominence, alongside digitization and internationalization efforts to provide a more global perspective.

Over the past decade, a similar transformation has been observed in the African higher education landscape, particularly in Ghana. While private institutions have shown more visible changes, the shift is evident across the sector. Specialization and integration into higher education have become clearer and more precise over time.

Despite the strength of public institutions, which have maintained loyal support from generations of families, some private institutions have remained relevant by aligning with industry needs. These institutions, often referred to as underdogs, have adopted innovative approaches to higher education and are achieving success.

Unbundling and Decolonizing Degrees

A notable trend in higher education is the unbundling of degrees, where traditional degree programs are broken down into smaller, more specialized components. This shift is driven by demand in specific subject areas such as science, public health, technology, sustainability, and changing workforce dynamics. Additionally, factors like high costs, limited time, and accessibility issues have contributed to this trend.

As a result, micro-credentials, short courses, executive education, and specialized bootcamps have gained popularity. These intensive training programs focus on specific skills in demand in the job market and are supported by well-established institutions.

Another significant development is the movement towards decolonizing the curriculum. This involves challenging, reclaiming, and transforming the ways in which Western colonial perspectives have dominated knowledge and learning. Smaller, specialized institutions are at the forefront of this movement, committed to preserving indigenous skills and narratives in a way that is sustainable and relevant to modern industries.

Examples of Innovative Institutions

One example is the Nkinkyim Museum, which is expanding into an educational institution focused on spoken and visual language. It promotes apprenticeship as a legitimate form of learning, emphasizing the creation and adaptation of knowledge through oral traditions and culture. The museum's aim is to strip African dexterity of colonial language, culture, and influence, restoring pure creativity as a standard for advancement.

Another example is the Kokrobitey Institute, which focuses on sustainability education and social entrepreneurship. It integrates traditional knowledge systems with regenerative design practices to inform multiple disciplines, including fashion, architecture, and agriculture. The institute emphasizes environmental literacy, encouraging learners to approach design in a way that sustains all.

The Design & Technology Institute (DTI Africa) is another example, creating job opportunities in the industrial and prototype space through technical and vocational training in design, innovation, precision welding, and entrepreneurship.

Commonalities Among Institutions

These institutions share commonalities in their commitment to entrepreneurship and the preservation of local and indigenous knowledge through skills development. Their efforts are expected to guide the nation toward clearer professional skills and resources for workforce development.

Amid rising de-globalisation and inward-looking policies worldwide, it is timely to deepen our understanding of who we are and the ecosystems that sustain us. This will help shape our own narrative for greater productivity and resourcefulness.

This calls for both emerging and established institutions to remain agile, fostering cross-institutional partnerships that strengthen professional practice and meet industry labor demands, driving social and economic impact.