When it comes to the digital transformation of higher education, there is widespread agreement that universities must adapt, bringing in the skills and technologies needed to thrive in an era of mass online learning and artificial intelligence. With a handful of notable exceptions, however, the sector seems to find it hard to translate those words into tangible, radical change.Yet that isn’t always the case when it comes to the fabric of the organisation itself. There are good reasons for that. The substrates of old IT systems, ropey data and steering committees create friction, a problem far from unique to universities. A cultural gap between academics and professional services can mean a lack of trust on both sides. And higher education also faces a real and growing cybersecurity threat. Building a shining city on a hill when foundations are rocky is not straightforward.There are practical, tangible ways for universities to make headway and build momentum with their digital transformation.
