Why Universities Must Remain Champions of Positive Change in Society

Universities have a rich history, with Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez, Morocco, founded in the ninth century, often recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating higher education institution. In contrast, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford, UK, is one of the newest, aiming to revolutionize engineering education for the modern era.

The future of universities

Our reporter delves into NMITE in a Careers feature as part of a special issue of Nature, focusing on the future of universities, while also launching a series of articles on related topics over the next few months. We will explore the numerous global challenges higher education faces, including political strife, funding issues, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning. This could be the most critical moment in university history, necessitating a reinvention for survival.

Universities have been a tremendous global success story. As education-policy researcher Philip Altbach states in a Comment, the traditional model of universities that trained predominantly male religious and later secular elites has shifted since World War II into inclusive institutions of teaching and research. The student population has skyrocketed from 6 million in 1950 to over 260 million today. In many societies, the majority of young individuals aspire to earn a degree.

The great university shake-up: four charts show how global higher education is changing

Today, universities play a crucial role in securing a nation’s future, as discussed in a News feature. They offer young people the chance to explore their interests and prepare for their careers. Furthermore, they serve as vital hubs for research and idea generation, driving both economic growth and social mobility.

However, universities now face significant, even existential, questions regarding their funding. In the years following World War II, many wealthy nations considered higher education a public good and funded it heavily, resulting in minimal costs for students. But in today’s context of mass enrollment, the notion of providing free access to universities is under strain, especially as economies—particularly in high-income countries—have seen slow growth since the 2008 financial crisis.

No lectures, exams, essays: inside a twenty-first-century university

Consequently, many governments now shift the financial burden onto students and their families, often through lengthy loan processes. In some regions, private funding is also becoming increasingly involved, pushing universities to resemble businesses rather than public service institutions. This raises fundamental questions about their purpose, operational practices, and how they can maintain broad access.

How universities came to be — and why they are in trouble now

Funding challenges also impact research budgets, particularly in the United States and Europe. While research funding has generally survived cuts—partly due to economists advocating it as an investment in growth—there is increasing pressure for researchers to justify further funding amidst broader budget constraints affecting essential public services.

Additionally, rising tensions in many global regions, particularly the United States and Europe, highlight that higher education has become a source of societal division and a target for populist leaders. They critique universities for not adequately representing diverse perspectives in their teaching and research. Increasing restrictions on visas and immigration are also straining a system that benefits from the international movement of students (who often pay higher fees) and researchers.

Universities under fire must harness more of the financial value they create

To tackle these challenges, universities must proactively shape their futures. As economist Yasheng Huang from MIT suggests in a World View article, they should focus on reclaiming more of the value they produce for society. This includes adopting strategies that allow them to retain more wealth generated by their initiatives.

Universities must move with the times: how six scholars tackle AI, mental health and more

However, universities need to go beyond that. In a Comment, six global researchers outline their initiatives to reshape higher education to be more impactful—such as leveraging AI in medical training, enhancing job prospects for PhD graduates, and fostering creativity in science education.

The core mission of universities is to generate new ideas. They must remain a force for good and harness their inherent innovation to ensure continued relevance and success.