GEF Madrid 2024: Things University Presidents Don’t Like to Talk About

Summary

The video script from the Global Education Forum features a discussion on the challenges and future of education. Key themes include the financial constraints, political influences, and the evolving role of students in universities. The speakers, Lazar and Ben Z, emphasize the need for institutions to specialize, innovate, and focus on producing well-rounded citizens. They also highlight the importance of embracing technology while maintaining the human element in learning.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The conversation reflects on the passage of time, indicating that it has been three years since a previous discussion, emphasizing the swift nature of time's passage.
• 🌍 The theme of the 2021 Global Education Forum is mentioned, suggesting a focus on worldwide educational issues and challenges.
• 🏛️ The speakers discuss the roles and challenges of university leadership, particularly the avoidance of commonly unaddressed topics such as finances, politics, and student expectations.
• 🎓 The script highlights the changing landscape of education, with a shift towards specialization and the need for institutions to define their unique purpose and identity.
• 💼 Ben Z, a career diplomat, brings his extensive experience in cultural and educational diplomacy to the conversation, emphasizing the global context of educational challenges.
• 👴 Lazar, a seasoned academic and university professor, stresses the importance of focusing on what doesn't work in academia to drive improvement and innovation.
• 🤔 The dialogue touches on the value proposition of education, questioning the cost and the return on investment for students, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote learning.
• 💬 There is a call for transparency and honesty in university leadership, with a focus on addressing failures and shortcomings rather than仅仅 highlighting successes.
• 🔢 The script mentions the financial struggles of private colleges, with 25% operating at a deficit, and the average tenure of a university president being only 5 years, indicating instability and challenges in higher education leadership.
• 🌐 The conversation acknowledges the impact of technology on education, suggesting a need for teachers to adapt from being the source of knowledge to facilitators and mentors in a digital age.
• 🏆 The importance of educational institutions focusing on producing well-rounded citizens, not just professionals, is underscored, with a call to maintain a focus on morality and character building.

Q & A

What was the theme of the Global Education Forum in 2021?

The theme of the Global Education Forum in 2021 was not specified in the script, but the discussion revolved around the challenges and future of education, particularly focusing on topics that university presidents don't usually like to talk about.

What is the title of the novel mentioned in the script and what is its relevance to the discussion?

The novel mentioned is 'Our Man in Havana'. Its relevance to the discussion is not explicitly stated, but it could serve as a metaphor for the role of an ambassador or representative in a foreign context, similar to how an educator or university president navigates the international educational arena.

What does the term 'Greeno Contra' refer to in the script?

The term 'Greeno Contra' seems to be a playful or colloquial expression used in the script, possibly referring to a person or role related to the discussion, but its exact meaning is not clarified in the transcript.

Why does the speaker suggest that university presidents should talk about what doesn't work in education?

The speaker suggests that university presidents should talk about what doesn't work in education because it is important to identify and fix the problems in the system. Focusing on failures can lead to improvements and innovations in educational practices.

What is the role of the US Embassy Chief of Mission in Havana as discussed in the script?

The role of the US Embassy Chief of Mission in Havana, as represented by the speaker Ben Z, involves dealing with cultural and educational issues, university administration, and foreign programs for American students, with a focus on the global phenomenon of education and its development.

What are the three things that the speaker believes are problematic in the context of university leadership?

The three problematic things mentioned are money, politics, and the concept of students as 'customers'. Money is an issue due to scarcity, politics due to abundance and influence, and the 'customer' perspective changes the dynamic of education delivery and value.

What is the average tenure for a University President in the United States according to the script?

According to the script, the average tenure for a University President in the United States is about 5 years.

How does the script suggest the role of technology in the future of education?

The script suggests that technology, particularly AI, will play a significant role in the future of education, potentially changing the traditional models of teaching and learning, and requiring institutions to adapt to new forms of educational delivery.

What is the speaker's opinion on the tenure system in academia?

The speaker expresses a negative view on the tenure system, suggesting it can lead to 'fat veins and very slim brains', implying that it may foster complacency and a lack of innovation among professors.

What advice does the speaker give for a new university president's approach to leadership?

The speaker advises a new university president to not be a mini-manager, to focus on identifying what doesn't work, to be a dreamer with a strategic plan, and to conduct pilots or small-scale tests of new ideas to see what works effectively.

How does the script address the issue of specialization in education?

The script addresses the issue of specialization by suggesting that successful institutions are those that specialize thoughtfully, focusing on their target audience and the specific needs and interests of that audience, rather than trying to cater to a wide range of often competing interests.

What is the importance of maintaining a balance between being a dreamer and a practical leader as discussed in the script?

The importance of maintaining a balance between being a dreamer and a practical leader is emphasized as a key aspect of effective leadership. It involves having a vision and strategic plan while also being grounded in reality and focused on addressing what is not working.