Design

What does the university of the future look like? Will it bear any physical resemblance to its current form? What will the world of learning, research and teaching look like in 10, 20 or 50 years? How will universities be governed? What will be the role of the academic: leader, teacher, facilitator, or engager? How will institutions connect with their local and wider communities? What role will partnerships have on increasing collaboration, sharing resources and information? How do we create a sense of academic citizenship? Who are the innovators in higher education?

Universities will need to be international at every level in the future. The ACU plays an important role in creating these relationships. Our conferences bring together leaders and professionals from a wide range of countries who would not meet in other forums. We work with governments to help design and implement their scholarship and research programmes. Our longstanding Gender Programme monitors and promotes opportunities for women to enter leadership roles. We run summer schools which forge new relationships between postgraduates in the developed and developing world, and our graduate school initiative explores the potential for international teaching collaboration.

Academics and institutions also need to examine their place in society and the enduring benefit of their expertise. Following on from recent projects looking at how universities can enhance the early careers of staff, our Early Careers Academic Grants Programme – a new initiative for our Centenary year – offers 100 grants to help kick start the careers of academics who have not previously benefited from international exposure. The ACU will hold events throughout the Centenary themed around the issue of the changing nature of institutions and their governance. Our partnerships with external organisations facilitate more concerted ways of sharing information and strengthen those looking to disseminate knowledge.