New perspectives on ‘Reinventing Higher Education’

By Paul Rigg. For the first time, the annual international conference on “Reinventing Higher Education” gave prominence to the rapidly transforming Arab world. Changes in the higher education landscape – driven by new technologies, shifting global forces and funding cuts – were other trends debated.
The event took place from 22-23 October at Madrid-based IE University, which is a private non-profit business owned by the Instituto de Empresa SL.
“The idea is to look at the university as a whole from all angles, and try to suggest reforms for the future, for the better,” said Santiago Iñiguez, president of IE University and chair of the conference.
He pointed out that the Arab world comprises more than 400 million people in 22 countries and is experiencing profound transformation. It was significant, he said, that this change “is being supported by both public and private institutions, including individual philanthropists”. More...