The challenges and prospects for higher education in the context of global change

The future challenges and prospects for institutions of higher education are explored in this paper in the context of a rapidly changing external environment arising from seismic shifts in the global socio-economic, political and technological arenas. The implications of these paradigm shifts for higher education in both developed and developing markets are considered and a number of key questions are raised concerning the strategic options and positioning of institutions. In particular, the paper asks institutions to critically consider how the changing global environment will affect them. What are the risks they face in terms of new emerging competitors and student recruitment? What are the challenges and prospects for higher education in the developed, emerging and developing markets? What will be the most significant paradigm shifts in the global education marketplace over the next decade and beyond? The aim of the paper is to provide a platform for critical debate and to serve as a basis for the development of appropriate and effective strategies for the diverse and rapidly expanding range of players in the global higher education sector.