The ongoing transformation of universities and higher education through open models. Article by SPARC Europe : « Connecting the Opens (IV): Institutional strategies to embed openness in Higher Education ».
Link to publication: https://zenodo.org/records/19737561
Some excerpts:
Certain universities are now embedding these priorities within comprehensive institutional strategies. A common direction among institutions is consolidating previously fragmented initiatives into more unified frameworks.
As stated by one leader:“University strategy and new digital learning strategy have brought open research, scholarship and education together. University strategy emphasises community, collaboration and impact.”
Strategic planning in this area often revolves around a set of core dimensions that institutionsare beginning to address in a coordinated way.
These include:
- The development of [open] infrastructures
- The strengthening of skills
- The alignment of reward and recognition systems
- The clarification of roles and responsibilities
- The establishment of governance frameworks and standards, alongside the identification of sustainable funding opportunities.
Collaborative development of open-source software across institutions is also emerging as a more efficient and sustainable model.
5 key actions:
1. Advocate for a holistic and integrated "open by design" approach
2. Champion strategic investment in foundational open infrastructure and support
3. Drive cultural change through incentivization and recognition of open practices
4. Prioritise active engagement and co-creation with students
5. Position the institution as a leader in the global open ecosystem
Others are embedding openness within broader institutional transformations, such as digitalisation or data literacy initiatives, recognising itas a core component of the contemporary university.
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