Covid-19 & The impact on Higher Education

June 12, 2020

Universities are agents of change. Through research and innovation some of the world’s most disruptive technologies such as the internet, lithium batteries and medical innovations, have significantly altered the way the world operates. Universities not only fuel knowledge translation, but are active members of society. Faculty and students are highly engaged in their local regions, contributing to socio-economic change. Through workshops, seminars, volunteerism, and political engagement, universities have demonstrated that they are more than just brick and mortars.

Still, government grants per student continue to fall behind the academic costs. While, universities have found varied solutions to deal with these cuts, the impacts of COVID-19 will mean several things to higher education. The first will likely continue to be funding shortages. This is not the time for ordinary solutions, and if governments do not step in to help, entire regions may be left behind.

International experts, Shiri Breznitz, Heike Mayer, Donald Siegel and Elvira Uyarra, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on higher education.

Speakers

Shiri Breznitz
Panelist
Associate Professor, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto

Heike Mayer
Panelist
Professor, Economic Geography, Institute of Geography & Center for Regional Economic Development, University of Bern

Donald Siegel
Panelist
Foundation Professor & Director, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University

Elvira Uyarra
Panelist
Reader in Innovation Policy and Strategy, Alliance Manchester Business School & Director, Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, University of Manchester

Simona Chiose
Moderator
Senior Policy Advisor, Stakeholder Engagement, Government Relations Office, University of Toronto

Sponsors
Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto, Arizona State University, University of Bern and University of Manchester