Redefining the Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Age of Global Disruption: Strategic Missions, Digital Transformation, and Policy Alignment in the European Context
Abstract
This article employs a multi-perspective and multiple-case study methodology to examine the ongoing transformation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), conceptualized as complex and adaptive systems, within the evolving digital and geopolitical landscape of the past two decades. The analysis is framed by the increasing pressures exerted by European Union (EU) policies and global imperatives, particularly concerning digitalisation, inclusive access, and lifelong learning. Drawing from the ECOLHE (Enhancing Competences for Online Learning in Higher Education) research project, the paper highlights how digital transformation is reshaping the values, missions, and organisational configurations of HEIs. Key findings underscore the persistent gaps between policy aspirations and institutional practices, particularly regarding the integration of digital pedagogies and the alignment of curricula with the needs of rapidly evolving labour markets. The paper concludes by proposing a strategic framework to guide HEIs in designing future-oriented, resilient, and inclusive digital ecosystems, rooted in the foundational principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
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How to Cite
Capogna, S. (2025). Redefining the Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Age of Global Disruption: Strategic Missions, Digital Transformation, and Policy Alignment in the European Context. 13th Higher Education Institutions Conference (HEIC 2025), 04-05 September, 2025, Dubrovnik (Croatia). https://doi.org/10.66781/heic.2025.06
