Expanded view of universities would be more realistic

Abstract

Tertiary education is poised for greater changes during the next decade than John Hennessey's vision implies (Nature 463, 26–32; 2010). The rising demand for university education in the developing world could affect universities in developed countries. Western universities, for example, could help fill huge gaps in faculties in China, India and countries in southeast Asia, Africa and South America. Greater international cooperation and more study programmes abroad are likely to feature. Distance learning could become more popular, particularly in remote areas. Open-course material, such as that pioneered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, might warrant further development. And modified programmes for professional degrees, such as a one-year Master of Business Administration, could become more widespread.

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