This article was originally written in Spanish. Your browser can translate it automatically.
Demographic shifts, artificial intelligence and the need for new management models are redefining the future of universities. In this interview, Francisco Valdivia analyses the challenges facing higher education institutions today and the strategic decisions that will shape their evolution.
Francisco Valdivia, Director of Studies and Strategic Consultant, shares his perspective on institutional sustainability, curricular flexibility, data-driven decision-making and the new relationship between universities and the world of work.
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How does the demographic transition impact the sustainability of universities?
Today I see two major challenges. The first is the decline in birth rates, which reduces the number of traditional students and forces institutions to compete in a much more demanding landscape.
The second has to do with the speed at which job-related skills are changing. Artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 mean that initial training is no longer enough: lifelong learning has become a necessity.
That's why universities must broaden their outlook and also think about professionals looking to update or reconvert their skills through ongoing reskilling and upskilling processes.
Financial viability can no longer depend exclusively on the traditional student.
What stops universities from making their curricula more flexible?
The main obstacle is that many institutions still operate on structures designed for a far more stable context.
Today we need to move from universities that offer rigid programmes to institutions capable of building more flexible, personalised learning pathways.
However, that shift runs into cultural and regulatory resistance. In many cases, flexibility is still seen as a threat to academic rigour, while regulatory frameworks move more slowly than market needs.
I believe the challenge lies in developing institutional capabilities that allow adaptation without losing quality.
How should they strengthen their financial sustainability?
Heavy dependence on state funding means many institutions face a scenario of great uncertainty.
That's why diversifying revenue sources has stopped being an option and become a strategic necessity. Lifelong learning, microcredentials and continuing education represent a huge opportunity to respond to new demands and build more sustainable models.
At the same time, artificial intelligence and automation can help cut costs and make processes more efficient without sacrificing academic quality.
In an increasingly digital ecosystem, guaranteeing the integrity of certifications will be one of the main differentiators for universities.
What data should leadership teams keep a close eye on?
Traditional indicators are no longer enough. Today universities need to build genuine institutional intelligence based on data.
Understanding student pathways, anticipating risks, assessing the impact of artificial intelligence and measuring the relevance of academic offerings will become increasingly important for decision-making.
It will also be essential to demonstrate quality through evidence and strengthen trust in evaluation and certification processes.
How will the relationship between universities and the productive sector change?
I think the biggest transformation will be the disappearance of the traditional boundary between studying and working.
Universities will stop being institutions that train professionals before they enter the labour market, and become organisations that support learning throughout life.
That means building a much closer relationship with companies, offering ongoing upskilling processes and validating specific competencies with the same rigour as a traditional degree.
The university's main value will no longer lie solely in transmitting knowledge, but in its ability to adapt that knowledge to a constantly changing reality.
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Francisco Valdivia's reflections show that the future of higher education doesn't depend solely on adopting new technologies. The real challenge will be transforming institutional models to respond with greater flexibility, sustainability and adaptability to an increasingly dynamic environment.
Along that path, understanding students' new demands, strengthening data-driven decision-making and consolidating trust in academic processes will be key factors for universities to keep generating value in the years ahead.
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