Universities and colleges are expected to impart marketable skills that prepare students for the dynamic world of work. To date, students continue to graduate and employers continue to hire new talent, and this has been the norm for centuries now. In the last two years, however, the skills gap has been widening at an alarming rate (SHRM, 2019), amidst the tightening career demands. Worse still, there has been a predictable change in student demographics, cultural environment, and entrepreneurial norms.
With these factors driving monumental shifts, more work needs to be done by learning institutions to ensure that graduates gain relevant knowledge and skills that better prepare them for the future of work (Inside Higher Ed, 2020). However, this is easier said than done, and universities and colleges alike have to remain abreast of the current trends in higher education to align their service with the job market while maintaining a leg-up on competitors.
This article aims to discuss the current social, technological, financial, and academic trends in higher education institutions across the globe to help both students, educators, and recruiters understand what changes to expect in the coming years. It provides a perspective on the higher education landscape as well as the key factors that will drive these changes in the industry.