Transforming Higher Education

The world is changing...

9.8B

People across the world to be fed by 2050

90%

Growth of greenhouse gas emissions since 1970

65%

Children who will ultimately perform jobs that do not yet exist

120M

Estimated increase in higher education enrollment by 2030

185

Countries have closed schools & universities due to COVID-19

50%

Employees who will need major upskilling or reskilling

…so must higher education

At University Design Institute (UDI), our vision is for universities to emerge as powerful engines of social and economic impact.

We are uniquely based in a living laboratory of innovation and we collaborate with a network of higher education experts across the globe to catalyze transformation.

Reimagine

We envision the future and move from ideas to implementation.

Redesign

We co-design solutions for higher education.

Rebuild

We advance innovative, scalable, and sustainable models.

UDI design services, programs, and resources center on six imperatives that are critical to transformation in higher education

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University Mission

Why and How the university mission is expanding the focus beyond academics and research to incorporate broader societal concerns and needs

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Leaders and Cultures

Why and How higher education is demonstrating investments in agile and diverse leadership at multiple levels

 
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Resource Diversification

Why and How decision-makers are approaching university funding needs beyond single sources or government dependencies

 
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Teaching and Learning

Why and How institutions are embracing transformative, relevant, and inclusive curricula and pedagogical approaches

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Digital Solutions

Why and How institutions are incorporating current and future-sensitive digital technologies in university operations and student support

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Knowledge Generation and Discovery

Why and How higher education is comprehensively and collaboratively addressing pressing research challenges and social problems

A core tenet of ASU’s mission is to apply our talent, tools and resources to meaningfully address societal challenges at scale. At UDI, we delve into the relationship between design, perpetual innovation and social transformation, and exchange ideas about how the higher education system can continue to demonstrate leadership and service to learners, communities, and societies worldwide.

Dr. Michael Crow President, Arizona State University; Chair, University Design Institute