Universities have been facing widespread change and associated challenges for a number of years. We know that change is the new norm, but it takes time to adjust and there is no respite or untapped resource where higher education is concerned. There are endless challenges currently faced by the sector, and the operating environment continues to evolve, meaning that there will be many issues ahead of which we are not yet aware.
Having the right people, with the right skills, in the right places has never been more important. But what skills does the sector need now? It needs to be tech-savvy, but people-centred. It needs energy and ambition, flexibility and resilience. It may not know what future it faces, but it needs to be prepared nonetheless, and those working in the sector should have a hand in shaping it, instead of merely being recipients of it, on the back foot, playing catch-up. How can we do this?
There is an opportunity, now, to shape a future that we know is important for our sector, both to protect its global reputation and to serve regional agendas. Through a social value lens, higher education has the power to do great things, playing a critical role in shaping the next generation of leaders and professionals.
Intelligent institutional strategy development will be a key step in setting the sector on the right track, and strategic planning will put the building blocks in place to ensure it is achievable. Uniquely positioned in a function straddling both professional and academic services, strategy and planning professionals should act as a cohesive force within institutions. But their work is evolving, and so too are the skills required for the job.
This virtual conference explored what practices strategic planning as a function might adopt, and what skills strategy and planning professionals themselves will require, in order to future-proof their institutions, ensuring that they are resilient in the face of adversity, and that they are equipped to thrive in a constantly changing world.
