2022 is coming to a close. How well-prepared are you for the coming year? We’ve put together some of the biggest challenges higher education companies will reportedly have to contend with in 2023.
The Modern Education Experience
The classroom of the future is looking more digital than ever. With the next generation of learners being brought up in a highly technological environment, higher ed providers are expected to adapt to this changing need for a different education delivery system.
Get ready to see learning services being more accessible online–from enrollment to virtual campus tours.
Student Wellbeing
The pandemic has forced everybody into collective isolation. There’s been an alarming rise in students battling mental health issues as they get cut off from socialization and the “college experience” during these formative years of their lives.
The unexpected shift to online learning has left much to be desired in terms of getting students and educators to adjust to eLearning and the sudden lack of on-campus experiences. This made way for heightened anxiety, stress, and lack of motivation to pursue education.
The million-dollar question: How are you making this a priority?
Increased Emphasis on Graduate Employability
There’s a visibly higher demand for today’s students to be career-ready post-graduation. Education providers are expected to create pathways to rewarding jobs through applied and hands-on work experience in the classroom.
Programs and courses offering internships and job placement assistance offer students immense value and will be more sought-after. Education options that create opportunities for rewarding jobs, higher income, and career advancement will help students be more competitive as they enter the workforce.
Falling Student Retention & Completion Rates
Worldwide, education institutions are seeing a worrying drop in student retention and completion rates. Mass employment terminations and mounting student debts during the pandemic have affected households–especially those in disadvantaged groups–which also translated to fewer enrollments, degree completions, and student retention.
Traditional College Degrees Seen as Luxury
Traditional education has become unaffordable to the everyday student. Since the 1980s, college tuition costs have skyrocketed by 169%. On top of this, the room and boarding expenses have also substantially increased.
Unless a student is prepared to take on years’ worth of debt, college is now seen as a privilege only the upper class of the world can afford. This has created a need for more accessible learning options with flexible payment plans and a similar competitive edge as a college degree.
The Takeaway
Education gives people an upper hand in the employment market. With the pandemic forcing the academic space into making a series of disruptive changes, education companies that stay ahead of the curve are the ones that prioritize student welfare beyond the classroom.
