What if the future of tertiary education is no longer defined by campuses, lectures, and traditional qualifications – but by how quickly institutions can reinvent learning itself.
With global education spending expected to exceed $10 trillion in the next decade, the real question is not how much we invest, but how boldly we redesign learning to meet a world in rapid transition.
Immersive learning becomes a cornerstone
Hybrid learning – once a stopgap solution – has become the backbone of modern education systems.
AI-enabled platforms, adaptive assessments, and data-driven teaching models are moving tertiary institutions into a new era where structure, flexibility, and personalisation are no longer competing priorities but essential building blocks of a future-fit learning ecosystem.
“We’re seeing a deliberate move towards guided sessions, interactive content, and faculty-supported collaboration – a model that blends the best of digital convenience with the irreplaceable power of human connection,” says Andrew Horsfall, CEO at Milpark Education.
“Learning is no longer a solitary pursuit. Students thrive in active, community-driven environments where academic, emotional and social support intersect. Building these communities is now a hallmark of institutional excellence.”
Soft skills become core competencies for a volatile world
But the transformation isn’t only about how we learn – it’s fundamentally about what we learn.
“The next generation of graduates will need far more than academic knowledge. Critical thinking, adaptability and empathy are becoming core competencies,” Horsfall says. “Soft skills like communication, creativity and collaboration are no longer optional – they’re the currency of an unpredictable world.”
This has pushed leading institutions to redesign curricula around real-world cases, lived experiences, and industry scenarios that connect theory directly to practice. At the same time, the digital economy has rewritten what it means to be “career-ready.”
Digital business skills are recoding the future of work
Employers are seeking professionals who can merge core business principles with digital fluency – people who can analyse data, solve complex problems, leverage technology and innovate at speed.
As a result, digital business skills are not just shaping new career paths; they are creating entirely new industries and opportunities.
“This convergence of business and technology presents an exciting challenge,” adds Horsfall. “Institutions must build graduates who not only understand digital tools, analytics and innovation – but who can apply them confidently and creatively. That is where true competitive advantage lies.”
For South Africa, the stakes are even higher. The future of tertiary education must be globally competitive and locally responsive. Graduates need the capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development priorities while operating on an international stage. Institutions that master this dual mandate – local relevance, global readiness – will define the next decade of South African education.
Ultimately, Horsfall believes the sector stands at a pivotal moment. “The truth is, education is no longer just about content – it’s about connection, adaptability and inspiration. The question is not whether institutions can keep up with change, but whether they can shape it.
“Our role is to prepare students not just for the future of work, but to create it. It’s not only about what we teach; it’s about how we inspire the next generation to think, adapt and lead with purpose.”