The higher education sector across EMEA has weathered much change in recent times and is still navigating a period of transformation. Technology and automation are reshaping the job market; skills creation is battling to keep up and universities are exploring ways to equip their students for the workplace. Tuition fee changes in the UK and elsewhere, together with funding constraints, have added to pressures on higher education institutions (HEIs), prompting them to look at ways they could diversify their revenue streams.
Against this backdrop, what will 2025 bring? Here, we consider two key challenges and opportunities for HEIs in regions across EMEA. For a deeper dive into this, you can explore D2L’s full blog.
Challenges
- Financial pressures and budget constraints
Declining public funding, fluctuations in tuition fees and increased funding competition place HEIs under considerable financial pressure around the region. In Ireland, for example, funding is the biggest issue facing universities with the student contribution Irish students pay scheduled to reduce by €1,000 a year in the new academic year. There have been calls for an increase in core funding and suggestions that funding shortfalls make it difficult for Irish universities to compete internationally. - Technological advances
AI is the latest innovation, and it provokes as much mistrust as it does excitement. It is now used more and more in universities but educators’ concerns about the potential for cheating remain. Despite this, students’ expectations are growing. According to insight from Jisc in the UK, students/learners in further and higher education expect, “educators to be able to use genAI competently, to comprehensively integrate genAI across education, and to implement policy to ensure fair and effective use.” The pressure is therefore on for institutions to adapt to technological change and use digital tools to their best advantage to benefit students and tutors.
Opportunities
- Micro-credentials for lifelong learning, upskilling and revenue generation
There is growing demand for lifelong learning and skills-based education. HEIs can take advantage of this by offering micro-credentials, short courses and professional development programmes tailored to the needs of working professionals.Micro-credentials offer a flexible and scalable approach to learning. They have clear learning outcomes to help learners achieve a range of learning goals. Successful students earn a microcredential badge, which signifies they have achieved specific competencies. The badge is verified by the issuing institution, and learners can share it across platforms such as digital portfolios and social media. This study format can help make higher education more accessible and enable part-time learners to acquire specific skills quickly and affordably.
- AI and digital transformation
In 2025, educators can use AI to enhance human-centric learning and take advantage of its timesaving benefits.AI can help reduce the burden of repetitive, manual tasks, and at the same time elevate courses to deliver dynamic learning experiences. It can analyse large data sets to provide insights into student progress and help identify those who may need help. As educators’ time continues to be a limiting factor in 2025, AI can help HEIs create high-quality learning experiences, increase student engagement and save time.
What is your higher education digital strategy in 2025?
As you hone your 2025 strategy, why not talk to D2L about your plans? Take a look at our LMS for colleges and universities.
About the author: D2L is a global learning innovation company helping organisations reshape the future of education and work. We’re leading the way into the era of personalised learning, driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of their age, ability, or location.
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