Blogs:

In more than eighty years, this is the worst global economic crisis we have ever faced. As a result of this, an acute crisis of legitimization, organization and resources is being faced by our higher education system. Universities and colleges are at a loss as to how to manage resources.

The outside economic crisis has fuelled internal existential crisis in these institutions. Student debt continues to skyrocket even as there is a shrinking of legislative appropriations. Today’s situation is that of personal fear, stalemate government, fragmented politics and economic crunch.

The very foundation of the existing higher education model here must be revamped and an alternative to campus and academic life must be organized as early as possible. If not a bubble, our traditional education system is definitely a balloon all set to deflate.

A high risk climate has been set for donors, parents and students by the current economic crisis. Institutional priorities, learning outcomes, affordability, cost and access are some of the challenges facing our higher education system.

There are many areas that have to be looked into in our present model of learning which include how students learn, how teachers teach, how education is priced, how delivery cost and pedagogy are shaped by information technology and the way in which institutions assure students of career prospects through efficient learning outcomes.

Public is understandably sceptical and universities and colleges are forced to provide them with a basic understanding of their social value and achievements. There is no clear understanding of how these institutions are functioning beyond providing education.

How higher education creates knowledge and applies it to refine and provide pragmatic solutions to existing economic and social problems must be made clear to the public to enable them to appreciate. This is a challenging enough endeavour.

On top of this, a variety of forces confront our traditional colleges seeking to reduce the system to one that offers diploma quickly in its capacity as a virtual time invested. Higher education is no more transformation but is limited to a transaction due to lack of understanding among public to learn about the depth of natural world and human experience learning brings in.

Our country has always been committed to offering education for the purpose of developing civic learning, disciplinary mastery and critical abilities. Our vibrant and dynamic economy has always stood on the pillar of our independent minded citizens. American education’s mission is severely being devalued today due to the on-going affordability issues.

Our campuses are one of the very few diverse communities offering a rich learning experience in collaboration and negotiation in existence today. Here students gain rich experience the benefits of which can in no way compare to the non-residential, online learning platform. 

Campuses definitely plays a major role in developing fully rounded individuals, future leaders and professions especially in view of the increased emphasis placed by colleges on international education and civic engagement.

Our country is undergoing a very fundamental crisis as a result of internal challenges to universities and colleges as a result of the global economic crisis. It is time our educational institutions find new relevance through demanding and comprehensive civic engagement programs.