Research project Higher education under pressure?

Higher education is currently undergoing one of perhaps the greatest "identity crises" in modern time. It is about shaping its future role in a society characterized by uncertainty, rapid changes, and diversity. Research indicates that higher education is not keeping up, which creates tensions regarding its role — whether it is to educate for employability or for personal development. At the same time, AI has impacted the reliability in examinations, making it relevant to consider which assessment methods to use to encourage students to demonstrate what they can do and learn relevant competencies, rather than seeking shortcuts through ChatGPT.

The question is not how technology will change education, but rather how education should prepare us for a working life without full knowledge of what the future will look like. There is no predetermined path, and competencies taken for granted may become outdated very soon.

The focus of the project is on assessment, course objectives, and competencies in higher education in relation to future relevance, the labor market, widening participation, and students’ varying background. The aim is to map how generative AI has affected university examination formats and curricular goals, as well as how teachers view the use of AI in courses and assessments. The project also involves international comparisons and collaboration with universities in other countries, in Spain and Australia for example.
 

Project title: Higher education under pressure? Course objectives, assessment and future skills in light of AI, widening particpation and a changing labor market.