Is this the tipping point in the digitisation of higher education?

By Optus Enterprise

COVID-19 has taught us all that priorities can change swiftly, and that innovation, flexibility, agility and resilience are critical capabilities. What this means for the future of the higher education sector was discussed in detail in a compelling virtual roundtable recently hosted by Optus Enterprise in collaboration with Cisco.

In the session, our speakers shared their perspectives on how the current climate is driving institutes to reimagine new learning, operating and business models for education.

In particular, they discussed key findings and recommendations from a recent study commissioned by Cisco and Optus on the impact of COVID-19 on higher education: The Tipping Point for Digitisation of Campuses – essential reading for anyone involved in the future of higher education in Australia. Download the report here.

A year like no other

2020 and the advent of the pandemic had a profound impact on education and changed the student mix, created financial pressures and accelerated the transition to new ways of working and learning.

“A new set of drivers is now emerging that will change how campuses look, function and create benefit,” said Jason Bamert, Associate Director of Education at Optus Enterprise.

The report found that:

• Investment in digital is forecast to rise by 11% even in a fiscally constrained sector. Nearly half of all institutions interviewed for the report said they would consider liquidating real estate assets to fund digital programs and research.
  
• Students will start to differentiate institutions on the quality of their digital services and engagement, perhaps more so than on the quality of buildings.
• Campuses will need to change as there will be a greater priority given to “Instagram-worthy” experiences on campus, including informal learning commons, outdoor spaces and innovation/maker facilities at the expense of formal lecture theatres.
• There will be fewer people on campus, driven by more flexible work and learn from home arrangements that will reduce the amount of space dedicated to administration accommodation.
• Campus safety will rise in prominence, including expectations that institutions will put a range of measures in place to guarantee a safe return to campus – particularly the ability to use technology to contact trace more effectively.
• Energy efficiency and optimal space utilisation will be considered a minimum requirement.

The 4Rs

So, what do institutions need to do to prepare for these changes? Network connectivity and digital platforms will be key to the campus of the future, with its sharpened focus on digital services capabilities and technology strategies.

Software Defined Networks (SDN), WiFi6, 5G and cloud will enable agility and flexibility in the way in which campuses enable operations, remote working, online teaching and learning and research. There will also be an increased focus on security as institutes look to digitise their delivery and enterprise functions.

The report distils the forward approach into five recommendations:

• RESPOND: Get underlying platforms in place – robust, scalable and secure
• REFLECT: Adopt a digital first approach to strategy and implementation with a priority on digital expenditure over bricks and mortar
• REIMAGINE: Broaden the ecosystem with input into Campus Master Planning
• REBOUND: Accelerate digital strategies and partnerships to inform campus design, the student experience and teaching and learning modes.

Creating the digital campus of the future

Reg Johnson, Director of Education and Strategic Industries at Cisco ANZ is passionate about the technology platforms that will change the ways we learn, work and research.

“We’re entering into a period of significant innovation in the way digital technologies are used for learning and collaboration,”

His view is that digitisation of underlying network infrastructure will be a key priority moving forward and emphasises that getting the foundation right will be essential in order to support and sustain digital services and accelerate innovation.

Enterprise-grade collaboration platforms such as Cisco’s own Webex will increasingly play a role in both online learning, student engagement and research collaboration.

And as institutions heathen their focus on applied research and industry engagement, digital collaboration platforms and security to protect IP against cyber threats will become more vital. Meanwhile, those responsible for administration and operations will look to new digital capabilities in movement tracking / analytics for space utilisation and building control systems to optimize operating efficiencies and productivity.

Mobilising education

While teaching and learning were already moving to a location agnostic delivery model, the events of COVID-19 have accelerated this.

As we move to a more application-centric educational environment, enterprise mobility will play a key role in meeting changing requirements for educational delivery.

There will be a need for institutes to ‘mobilise everything’ as students increasingly demand that all engagements are both mobile and digital. This will have implications for mobile security too.

The tipping point is here and now

All institutions are facing unique challenges and the panel discussion provided much food for thought in a new normal and fast-changing times.

Contact your Optus Account Manager or for information on the solutions.