UNESCO unveils 2026 roadmap to transform higher education for a "new social contract"

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has released a publication titled "Transforming higher education: Global collaboration on visioning and action" setting out a shared agenda for strengthening the sector’s ability to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.

The document, published on 13/03/2026, builds on the outcomes of the 2022 World Higher Education Conference in Barcelona and argues that the sector must move beyond "business as usual" to become a "transformative force" for future generations.

It reveals a higher education landscape experiencing unprecedented growth alongside deep disruptions. Global enrolment reached 269 million students in 2024, representing 43% of the traditional university-going age cohort. Furthermore, the sector has diversified significantly, now comprising over 22,000 accredited institutions worldwide.

However, this growth is occurring against a backdrop of "democratic backsliding," "technological disruptions" and "persistent inequalities", the report says. It also highlights a critical achievement in…