Inspired by Dr. Susan Blumenthal, Arizona State University’s Public Health Technology Innovation Initiative aims to revolutionize public health infrastructure through cutting-edge technology. The initiative, highlighted at a recent summit in Washington, D.C., focuses on education, research, and community empowerment to tackle public health challenges and enhance decision-making.

ASU’s Academic Enterprise, Enterprise Technology, and Learning Enterprise collaborated with UDI to host a groundbreaking conversation on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in higher education. The event engaged over 70 participants, fostering a dynamic environment to explore and advance GenAI practices, resulting in a comprehensive road map for future initiatives.

In Summer 2023, UDI launched its first Student Design Corps (SDC) to amplify student voices in university teaching and learning. Over 12 weeks, a diverse team of four students researched, designed, and tested innovative prototypes to enhance student participation in academic decision making, supported by comprehensive UDI training and international education leaders' guidance.

The University Design Institute worked with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) as part of a year-long Design Accelerator to address challenges that included student success initiatives, programmatic design and pathways to completion, and organizational design and culture.

When considering the design and development of universities, utilizing student voice plays a crucial role. It is the collective representation of students’ perspectives, needs, and aspirations, and it holds significant value in shaping an inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environment.

The inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) Sub-Saharan Africa Universities Forum brought together representatives from universities across the region and globe to address critical challenges and chart a path towards transformational teaching and research.