Panel Session 2

         Is higher education an industry to produce a suitable workforce for the economy? Or is it a tool by the state for indoctrinating certain acceptable values and goals of society? Or is it a place for freedom of thought, expression, a place for innovation and knowledge creation? Or is it a place for critical in-depth reflection on where we are heading? How can higher education and universities play a better role to transform mindsets and practices for a more equitable and sustainable world? As technology and societies continue to evolve, older institutions such as universities must continuously reshape and transform itself to stay relevant and be of value. Many are discarding the importance of university degrees, and many see universities as a place only for elites. This panel will take on the challenge to tackle these questions and challenges. Using the futures lens, we shall reveal all the plausible universities’ futures. Cases and experiences will be shared candidly.